Thread: How should I ask for a raise?

Originally Posted by CoreyFreeman

When lining up back-up work, use the new, higher rate. New clients don't need to know that you've been working for less up until now. Once you have clients who will pay the rates you're offering, then inform your primary client.

I already did that. He just got in when I was picking up momentum again, which is why I feel slightly bad asking to get a raise. I will hold my breath and take your advice though!

Originally Posted by Menard

That's the best damn advice yet.


What are your clients doing telling you what your services are worth?

Better yet...what are your clients doing telling you what you are worth?


If it takes you an hour to write a 500 word article and you are giving them away at a penny a word, that's $5.00 an hour...and do you write 8 to 12 articles a day? With research, keyword optimization, spelling and grammar checking, one article an hour is dreaming.

Clients don't set rates. You tell them what your services cost.

Frankly, you let this one client use you, and they were looking for somebody to use. Tell them straight forward what your prices are. Forget this 1.1 cents a word and tell them it is 1.5 cents a word, at a minimum; they are making a hell of a lot more than that with your articles and basically using you as a cheap whore.

Pardon my brutishness, but that's just me. I'm the same way in person, just a lot uglier.



My suggestion for a letter:


Dear Whoring John

Ooops...I'll start again


Dear Client

I am writing to inform you of an update to our agreement for my article writing services. I have been providing an excellent service for many months now at a much reduced rate compared to what I charge my other clients. Being that you have been a new client I have considered the lower rate a courtesy to you.

Being that I am appreciative of our business relationship and feel that we have maintained a good relationship, I am only increasing my rate to [insert] a word. This works out best for both of us as it is a time investment for me to continue to write articles while continuing to provide you with a service above par, yet maintaining an economically friendly rate to you.

I thank you for your continued use of my services and will update the billing to reflect the new rate on my next article delivery.

Thank You



This is a sales pitch. In sales, you do not ask for the order...someone has the opportunity to say no. Assume the close (agreement). Use language which speaks to an agreement, not that asks permission.

You will also notice that I have not mentioned the rate increase up front. If you do that, they'll stop reading there; kind of like going to someone's front door and saying 'this set of encyclopedias is only $2000 dollars' before you have even pitched them.

As Corey said: tell, don't ask. I'll addend that to: assume, don't ask. Sell your services and the relationship you have had with the client, as well the low rates you are providing and continued low updated rates you are providing.


Good luck.

Wow. That's impressive! The thing I am afraid of though, is losing his work. It's not just 8 articles a day. It's 20-30. Sometimes 40. They are 300 words each, and take me about 5 hours to complete all of them. Before you question the quality I could possibly maintain while working that quickly - realize this guy is PICKY! They have to be perfect. He does feed me and take care of me (hah, basically), so I really appreciate the immense workload. I'm nervous, but I will go with everyone's suggestions and just do it....

Originally Posted by gavenecko

Wow. That's impressive! The thing I am afraid of though, is losing his work. It's not just 8 articles a day. It's 20-30. Sometimes 40. They are 300 words each, and take me about 5 hours to complete all of them. Before you question the quality I could possibly maintain while working that quickly - realize this guy is PICKY! They have to be perfect. He does feed me and take care of me (hah, basically), so I really appreciate the immense workload. I'm nervous, but I will go with everyone's suggestions and just do it....

He's giving you a lot of volume. Considering it's only taking you 5 hrs., you shouldn't be too rash.

Originally Posted by bogart

He's giving you a lot of volume. Considering it's only taking you 5 hrs., you shouldn't be too rash.

True. That's part of my dilemma. I still think that my work is valued at more than what I am getting, and I'm not even asking for a dramatic increase. The past two weeks of work I have only received about $400 worth. Nowhere near enough to take care of myself and my girlfriend.

Originally Posted by gavenecko

True. That's part of my dilemma. I still think that my work is valued at more than what I am getting, and I'm not even asking for a dramatic increase. The past two weeks of work I have only received about $400 worth. Nowhere near enough to take care of myself and my girlfriend.

In this situation, you could raise the rate to 1.5 cents and offer a volume discount for [x] amount of articles.

Originally Posted by bogart

In this situation, you could raise the rate to 1.5 cents and offer a volume discount for [x] amount of articles.

I say go to $0.02 cents per word, then offer a 5-10% discount. Trust me, doubling your rates is not dramatic if we're talking about pennies...

Just ask him/her politely for a raise. Just be natural to ask for a raise, after all he/she have said that you will earn more per word after quite some time.

Tell him you have done excellent job in writing him/her articles, and you feel that you needed a raise to sustain your expenses, etc. I'm sure he'll give you what you're asking for. Good luck.

When it comes to old and dear customers, asking option is better and that looks more convincing. It will not be a good idea if we take them for granted. Asking politely really works for old clients and telling works better for someone with whom we worked once or twice for a test, they liked the quality and now we can tell them about rates reconsideration.

Originally Posted by CoreyFreeman

Tell, don't ask. You don't work for your client, you work with them. If you need more money, then simply inform your client of your raise in rates. It's great to have a returning client, and if they keep coming back to you, then your services are worth it.

---

Dear {name},

Because of the current economic situation I have decided to raise my rates to [new price]. I sincerely hope that you will consider the previous work I have done for you and the value they have brought to your websites. While there may be cheaper writers online, there are none that can compete with my quality and continued dedication.

In the event this rate is still too high for you to pay, perhaps you might consider the idea of lessening the volume of articles monthly, which gives me more time to research and proofread, giving you even more bang for your buck!

It has been a great pleasure to work with you and I look forward to our continued partnership. Looking forward to your reply, have a great day!

{your name}

---

If your client drops you, ask them for a recommendation and a testimonial and move on to a new client who can and will pay for quality and great customer service.

Wow. Lots of feedback on this! I solved my problem guys. I ended up getting more work instead of more pay per piece. It's better this way because it isn't THAT much more time spent. I get a considerable amount of added income, and everyone wins. Thanks to all that answered. Hopefully this thread can live and help out other people who may be faced with a similar situation!

I enjoyed reading the different opinions on asking/telling/demanding.

In the immortal words of General Westmoreland in response to winning over a people's hearts and minds:

"Grab 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow"


(I would have used a smilie, but some of them seem to be missing just now)