As bloggers and freelance writers, it’s part and parcel of our day to receive a hundred and one emails from people who want our services. But how many of those emails actually offer something worth our time? Very few in all honesty.
In the average week, around 10% of the emails are worth bothering with. A further 10% want something for nothing (don’t even get me started on why you shouldn’t work for free) and the rest are all emails that could be promising until you start to talk money and they’re offering you £25 for a post with a follow link and social media exposure. Sigh.
It can get pretty disheartening getting these spammy emails all day long (PRs – yes, we view this crap as spam) but what’s even more disheartening is the knowledge that somewhere, there’s a blogger who has no idea of their own worth and will actually take the offer.
Why You Should Say No To Low Paid Work
I could talk about this all day because it drives me absolutely insane that some people don’t know their worth.
You spend hours every week working on your blog or freelance business: You write, market, build an engaged following and everything else that comes with the territory.
Why should someone be able to hone in on all of that work and offer you something that’s frankly insulting and expect you to be grateful? Surely you can see that’s not ok?
Think of it this way. You go to work to a 9-5 office job. Your work is just as good as everyone else’s, but your boss decides to pay everyone else more than you. Would you be grateful for that because something is better than nothing? Hell no you wouldn’t.
But every time you accept a low ball payment, you’re telling the person paying you that you are ok with it.
Not only does it devalue you and every other blogger out there, but accepting these low paying jobs means you have to do a LOT just to make the fees you should be making off one or two posts or projects.
In blogging terms, this means your site that you worked so hard to build is now full of sponsored posts. Your readers will get bored of it and other brands, the ones who did think you where worth more, see that their post will be lost in a sea of sales posts and they move on to. Who to? Someone who knows their worth and only accepts offers worth taking.
In freelancing terms, you will be working your ass for eighty hours a week just to make ends meet. Imagine what you could do working those same hours for decent money. And again, it makes you look questionable to other potential clients when they see the sheer amount of low paying you’ve done.
How To Say No To Low Paying Work
I get it. Being self employed can be a bit edge of your seat sometimes – will you make enough money to cover your expenses this month? And those low ball offers might be tempting because they all add up.
But if you’re serious about building a living from your blog or writing, you have to consider the longer term implications of accepting these low paying jobs.
It’s not just about self worth. It’s about being penalised from Google for follow links. A high paying job might make the risk worth it, but a low paying one just doesn’t.
If you really can’t value yourself objectively, try to imagine that your best friend has been made the offer you just received. What would you advise them? Chances are, you’d tell them to wait for something worth their effort. If that’s what you would say to them, then learn to value yourself too and learn to say no.
You don’t have to be rude, although admittedly it’s tempting at times. Just a simple no thank you is fine. Or if you think the offer has some merit and it doesn’t feel like a spammy email, you can always negotiate.
Remember – you are worth more than some company’s loose change.
Do you have trouble saying no to low value offers? Let me know in the comments 🙂
You can find me here: Twitter Facebook Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!
A really good post for bloggers and writers – thanks. Last week I was approached by a company offering €12 per article! haha
Haha you have to laugh at some of the “offers” don’t you! Scary thing is, some people are probably saying yes. One of the Facebook groups I’m in shares bloggers ops and there are bloggers clamouring to review a chocolate bar!
An excellent post Debbie, really helpful and informative. Feel much more empowered and motivated now about saying no… because I’m worth it! 😉
Thank you 🙂 You are definitely worth it!
Great advice! I don’t blog for the money, and I never get involved in selling myself out for someone else’s advertising, nor do I ever allow guest posts on my blog for any amount.
If I tell someone I’m a writer, I have often heard the following: “A lot of people have told me that my life’s been so interesting, I should write a book… but I can’t write. If you’d write it for me, I’ll split the money with you.” Oh, yeah? What if it sells poorly, or doesn’t sell at all? And who’s going to pay my bills while I’m refusing all other jobs so I can work on your book? When I tell them I need money up-front, they always back away.
Haha so true! And when you ask them how they plan to sell the book, they either give you or blank look or tell you that you’d have to do that for them too lol.
Thanks for this post, Debbie. It never fails to frustrate me how many writers work for free (cough cough HuffPo). It damages and devalues the entire industry.
I find I’m most often offered low-ball fees for editing and public relations, two of the most time-consuming jobs on the planet. I have no problem saying no to both. There might not be a better-paying gig around the corner, but I’d rather spend my time working on books than killing myself for someone who doesn’t value my time and experience.
I’ve never understood the obsession with HuffPo – bloggers get so excited to write for them and I’m always like well they’re not paying you, why wouldn’t they accept your post?
Strangely I’ve always been approached with reasonable offers for editing – it always seems to be blog advertising that brings in the eye rolling offers. And you’re so right – there are so many better ways to spend your time than working for someone who doesn’t see value in you.
Hi, thanks for this post Debbie. Indeed not everyone wishes to be paid for their work. Those who do it as their full time job or not should be valued for what they do. It is what is acceptable for them as an individual and politely decline those very optimistic emails shall I say #BloggerClubUK
Even if it’s just a hobby, if people accept sponsored posts, they’re offering a service, and they deserve a fair compensation for introducing a brand or product to a targeted market.
Great post Debbie. I get regular emails offering peanuts and sometimes they get quite cross when I refuse or tell them how much I charge! In fact one emailer was very persistent and sent me over 10 emails asking me why I would not accept his proposal. #bloggerclubuk
Those ones annoy me so much – I can understand the chancers trying it, because unfortunately some people will accept anything they’re offered, but they need to learn to take no for an answer!
I’ve been on both sides of this but now I’m standing my ground so much more. I think in the early days, when you’re trying to get your blog and your writing established, it’s ok to take more lower paid work on. But as you become more established and your readers grow, it’s definitely important to know your worth. #BloggerClubUK
I used to have trouble saying no to any kind of payment for work. These days I’m a lot more selective. 🙂
#BloggerClubUK
I laugh when I look back at what I used to accept. Now I don’t accept low paid work unless there is a long term relationship in it andI think it may be worth it. But that is an extremely rare occurrence. Now I actually get much better ops and relish saying no! #BloggerClubUK
I still refuse it even if it’s long term – I see this as they’re just taking the pee out of me for longer!
It’s so true – sometimes it can be tempting to accept low paid work, but when working means time away from my children I have to prioritise well paid work and just be strict with myself! #BloggerClubUK
I have recently became part of a group that connects me to products wanting a person to use them and give feedback and a facebook post or blog post. I have accepted a few. Declined a few. I am not going to write a blog post, FB post, instagram and twitter for a free product costing only 10 bucks. My time is worth more. I see your point. #bloggerclubUK
Exactly – if it’s a decent value item that you would buy anyway then it’s not so bad, but when it’s something you could just buy without even missing the money it costs, it’s just not worth your time.
Great and important post. Having said that what a sad world where hard workers are so desperate for cash they end up taking anything for quality work. Not good at all. I think we need a union! #BloggerClubUK
We totally do!
This is a really interesting post and you have made some good points that have got me thinking! X #bloggerclubuk
I literally had to explain to a PR today that whilst I appreciated they were collaborating with a charity so didn’t have budget to promote their services but could I do it for free, promote them and their charity link. My mortgage company don’t treat me as a charity and I have to pay them regardless, so if I take time out to create something for them for free i have to turn down something that would have paid. She just couldn’t comprehend why I wasn’t interested. Ha ha. #BloggerClubUK
Lol some people just take the pee! I bet she’s not working for free
Thank you for this, I’m still quite new to blogging and I thought £25 was a good payment so I’m so glad I read this!! Maybe I should do more research on what is an appropriate amount!
#BloggerClubUK
As a start point, it’s your DA x 4, but personally I wouldn’t advise anyone to go lower than £50 for a sponsored post even if you’re DA is quite low – that post is still going to be there when your sites grows!
None assertive people have no idea how intimidating and anxiety producing actually putting your foot down and saying No is! Loved this! #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂
When I began to get the emails from PR companies I was so flattered that they were contacting me that I would jump at the chance to work with them. I suddenly cam to the realisation of all the above after I panicked about meeting a deadline due to being mega busy for a product that was worth about £10!
Now I’ve stopped accepting low paid offers. I don’t get high paid offers due to my irregular blogging efforts and meagre following but I’m much happier 🙂 x
#bloggerclubuk
I’m so glad you realised you are worth much more than that! It is flattering in the beginning, and at first, you don’t even realise how much of an insult some of the offers are.
Another insight into the new world that I find myself in, thank you! Things I never would have thought of.
I agree with everything you’ve said and it does make sense. But how hard must it be for some parents who are short of money to turn down any paid work. I think there will always be bloggers who need to take that low offer, even if only in the beginning. As Helen (Talking Mums) refers to in her comment, suddenly they will realise the hard work & effort to do a good job is worth far more than that low offer.
#BloggerClubUK
I totally understand that – when you first start out, it can be so flattering that someone wants to pay you, that you don’t even realise that the offer is an insult. It just makes me sad that people don’t know they are worth much more than that. And if everyone stopped accepting these insulting offers, PRs would have to start making realistic offers that would be worth our time and effort.
Thank you for this! I am a newer blogger and have been weeding through e-mails and messages from companies asking for me to do things for free or for peanuts and I am in no way ready to start charging for my work, but this reminds me of what blogging is worth! Thank you for sharing!
#BloggerClubUK
I’m glad to have helped – remember even as a newer blogger you still have a targeted audience, and when your blog grows, that post will still be there!
My blog is 7 weeks old and I feel I am so grateful for work already coming my way – a couple paid by most are an item in exchange for a review which I am totally happy about. I am yet to be approached by companies for paid work. I feel I need to be blogging for a good while yet #bloggerclubuk
It’s great that you’re already being approached – the paid work will come 🙂
I think we can all be a little naive in the beginning. Blogging is the biggest of learning curves and payment for posts is such a grey area that a lot of people have only just started talking about. Hopefully this will help out a lot of people. #bloggerclubuk
It’s only in recent months that I’ve begun to stand my ground and known when to walk away from low paying jobs. It comes with confidence and self-belief I think. thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk
I agree completely, I think every bloggers needs to value their work and decline offers that are low. It hurts their brand/blog and makes it harder to ask for more in future. #AnythingGoes
I read this on another linky but still a fab post for me, valuable advice #Anythinggoes
Popping back from #AnythingGoes
Great advice! We’re hobby bloggers and don’t do it for the money however if we did we’d never want to undersell ourselves. Must be hard for a freelancer 🙁 especially when people approach you with no budget! #AnythingGoes x
It’s so frustrating – like those same people wouldn’t go to Tesco and expect to get a trolley of free shopping!
A lot to think about. I usually do a few free school visits pro bono for events like Read Across America. Realistically though, I am losing a whole day plus my travel expenses. There needs to be a balance. You have made valid points.
Yeah it can be hard to find a balance if it’s a cause you believe in, but I think at the very least it shouldn’t be costing you money to speak at events!
I only wish I could get paid on the time it takes to answer all these emails that go nowhere because I charge a decent amount for my work. They are frustrating time wasters x
Totally agree – I wouldn’t need to actually work if I got paid for that haha
its so hard isn’t it. I’m trying to start making a bit of money from my blog but i have no idea what the going rates are for a post, a review an article etc… Its going to be a steep learning curve I think! #anythinggoes
It is hard, but try to remember that a brand aren’t just paying for the time it takes to write the post – they’re paying for access to a ready made targeted audience that you’ve put the time and effort in to grow 🙂
Good advice. Thank you for posting your thoughts. #bloggerclubUK
I haven’t started pitching yet and have only done stuff so far because there has been something in it for me….be it a brand association, or a freebie worth something in exchange. I’m at that stage now when I could take things up a notch and you are so right, we shouldn’t be selling ourselves short. Thanks for the motivation to believe in myself. #AnythingGoes
You’re welcome 🙂
Popping by again from #Anythinggoes
I’m in a weird position, because blogging is my hobby in which I put a real effort and to me it’s fully clear I don’t want blogging to become my job. So I sometime even go searching for… free labour :D. I’ve contacted some people for some writing projects which would be completely crazy for a fulltime blogger. I am doing this because it interests me which, I being me, motivated me even better than a paying job :D.
Anyway I think your advice is great for people who want to work as bloggers. No one should work for free. #AnythingGoes
If it works for you then you do you! It just irritates me that people get taken advantage of because they don’t realise how valuable they are to brands, but if you know that and make a choice to not charge, then that’s different – if it motivates you then it’s working 🙂
Great advice and a good reminder. I’ve said no to a lot recently. I’m a beginner but my time is still precious. #AnythingGoes
I love that! Your time is definitely precious
I accepted low paid work when I started as I hoped it would lead to business relationships but it didn’t. I now take the odd low paid work if it fits wells and doesn’t take too long. #bloggerclubuk
Thanks for sharing. I’ll keep it in mind if ever I get an offered payment for my writing (not that I expect that will ever happen). Good to read anyway. #AnythingGoes
“Every time you accept a low ball payment, you’re telling the person paying you that you are ok with it” So true, we have to think long term or we are creating a rod for our own backs. Timely post #AnythingGoes