A Freelance Writer’s Declaration Of Independence
This Freelance Writer’s Declaration of Independence has been construed thanks to George’s (Tumblemoose’s) viral blog post “The Reason Freelance Writing Is In Such Piss-Poor Shape”. Blame George for this act of insane creativity since he came up with the idea of pledging an allegiance. 
As a foreword to this document I wanted to say that in the end we are all responsible ourselves for what we get paid, despite the fact that a lot of the pay rates for writers simply suck!
So please enjoy:
A Freelance Writer’s Declaration Of Independence
When in the career of a freelance writer’s life it becomes necessary to dissolve the restraining pay rates offered by many clients, the writer shall take the matter in his own hands by refusing to work for such insulting amounts.
As proud professionals writers are entitled to remuneration that directly reflects their ability and experience. To believe otherwise is simply insane and self-harming.
Not all writers are created equal, and to believe so is wrong. Our Creator has gifted some of us with a special ability – the ability to take prose and mold such it into lively, beautiful and powerful sentences.
In the pursuit of Liberty and Happiness a writer shall claim his rights to fair pay. He shall not be governed by what is deemed to be acceptable in the industry. Instead, the writer shall secure himself a career laden with clients who appreciate the finer aspects of good writing.
To secure his rights to freedom, a writer has to stop pimping himself out to clients for a measly pay rate. To secure these rights, a writer has to work the job bidding sites used to find work to his own advantages. It is the Right of a such writer to abolish the act of bidding on low paying job offers and alter it to serve his own agenda instead.
Job bidding sites long established should not be used for causes to serve the stingy and tight. In the case of abuse it is the writer’s responsibility to alter the course of the future to secure his rights to fair pay. In the interest of all involved the writer has a duty to throw off these cheap and non-respecting customers by not bidding on their work.
Once such a customer learns to understand the difference between quality and quantity he will be more than happy to remunerate the writer for his work accordingly. A writer shall not be responsible for his repeat injuries of the pride and soul, and suffering of the wallet by working for such customer.
A writer shall not succumb to the absolute mental Tyranny of these clients. To prove his commitment to his cause a writer will:
- Join forces with the likes of mind.
- Stand tall against all opposition.
- Defend his rights to Freedom and Liberty.
- Refuse to work for a pittance.
- Seek ways to find clients who appreciate the finer art of the written word.
- Not feel threatened by the lower end of the market. Instead, he will use this lack of appreciation for his craft to outperform his low-end competitor.
- Not be constrained by his fellow Citizens taken captive by the clients looking for cheap writing whores.
- Take charge of his own destiny as it is his duty to be paid what he deems worthy enough.
- Not succumb to the merciless Writer Savages whose known rule of warfare – to work for pittance pay – is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions in the freelance writing industry.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United Freelance Writer’s Declaration Of Independence Guild are solemnly declaring our intentions to abide by these guidelines and intentions. To support this act we mutually pledge our legions to abide by the above.
Inspirational Sources: American Declaration of Independence
Pledge Your Allegiance:
Feel free to pledge your own allegiance by placing this sticker on your site. A link back to this post would be appreciated but is not necessary.
Write well. In success.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Mary Anne Hahn | Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
Bravo, Monika! This is the same declaration I’ve been urging writers (writerpreneurs) to make via Twitter (@WriteSuccess). I will refer my followers to this post, and place your sticker with a link back to this post on my Web site. Keep up the great work!
Passive Income | Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
I have been doing too much work I am in argumentative mood tonight LOL. No one is forcing anyone to work for any price – its called the free market supply/demand. I just ordered 19 articles – at 1c/word. Go one shoot me but bottom line is that I am taking all the risk here. The content will hopefully make me more than I have paid for them – but the risk is all on my side. I’m not using an auction site – I’m using textbroker.com – the writer is guaranteed payment (I assume) because I pay before ordering. The writer has no risk- they know the topic, pay rate and brief before they accept the job. I carry all the risk that the article may make nothing, break even or many times what I paid for it – the writer has a job, I am running a business – its two different sides of the same content.
Now I can totally understand paying a lot more for a articles which persuade, promote my brand, are PR releases or are specialist articles. Mine are none of these. They aren’t specialist articles – I could write them myself and I am not overly familiar with the topics – but outsourcing is quicker for me. If there was a writers union which forced me to pay 2c word – my solution would be quite simple -I’d write them myself!
I think if people don’t like working for the going rates – they need to add value to their skills and up their rates – as I know you did!
tumblemoose | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
Monika,
I was hoping against hope that someone would do the Deceleration! So glad it was you! I tweeted this post and I hope folks come on by and pick up the badge.
Dontcha know it’s going on Tumblemoose right now!!!
Cheers
George
millymolly | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
Read it ,loved it. Working 6 till death what a way to make a livin.
Jessica Bosari | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
This is SO my distraction of the day. While I would not for a moment feel comfortable with this on my profile site, I believe these truths to be self-evident. So it’s going on my personal blog.
Monika | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
@ Lis: You are 100% correct and I applause you for having the guts to say how it is. I know exactly what you are talking about and couldn’t agree more. Despite this I do feel that many freelance writers are underpaid because the common pay rate sucks, AND most importantly, because there are those cheapskate writers who are always prepared to work for pennies because they can, and they try to undercut everyone else which in the end hurts them too.
I do however understand where you are coming from because I also hire writers and I don’t pay them a ton to start off. It’s a business decision because like you I am taking the risks myself. The writer gets paid and I carry the risks of whether their copy will bring me results. Having said this, the situation is the same for writers who earn what they love to earn. The client still carries the risk. Therefore I do understand why some clients never pay more than they do.
It’s a tough world out there for sure. Like we both said, if one doesn’t like what they get paid they owe it to themselves to seek better paying jobs.
Monika | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
@ George: What can I say, you inspired me with your post and the words just rolled from there.
It was actually a lot of fun doing this. I was reading it back to hubby and he couldn’t stop nodding his head and laughing at the same time. For all it’s worth, it will hopefully help some underpaid writers to think about ways to increase their current pay rate. Thanks for the inspiration. You’re da man!
Monika | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
@ millymolly: LOL. Yeah, it could easily turn out like this, which of course defies the reason why we start a home based business in the first place. Thanks for stopping by, it’s nice to see a new “face”.
Monika | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
@ Mary Anne Hahn: Thank you for the kind words and your willingness to place the sticker on your website. Good to hear some of us think alike. It just goes to show how deeply many writers are affected by the lack of pay they receive. In the end, like I already mentioned, it is up to us as individuals to make a difference in our own business by targeting clients with bigger pockets.
Monika | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
@ Jessica Bosari: Sorry about having you distracted. Especially since you fight distractions all the time. I also thank you for sticking this on your blog and making your pledge. It just goes to show how many writers are feeling strongly about this kind of topic. It has been discussed heavily in the past and no doubt will continue to be done in the future. However, if just one writer wakes up to smell the roses as a result of all this, then justice is done one small bite at a time.
Brett Legree | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
This is really cool – you could modify it and apply it to any freelance business!
I like it.
Janice Campbell | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
Good points, Monika. I believe that great skill coupled with the confidence to charge a fair rate, plus a solid, steady marketing plan will move you into the ranks of successful freelancers.
One of my recent blog posts offered another success tip ( http://news.naiwe.com/2009/06/22/most-successful-freelancers-have-and-in-their-job-description/ ). No matter what kind of writing you do, the most important thing is taking the initiative to move yourself to the head of the pack in skills and visibility. Good luck!
Monika | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Feel free to adapt it if you wish. I consider this to be my present to all of those freelancers who struggle to break free from the chains of bottom rank income. May it help them to move up the ladder.
Monika | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
@ Janice: Well said Janice. I just popped over to your site and have to say you are so right. The AND is a big contributing factor to my own business. I offer several services, not just the one specialty and it has kept me well busy over the last 18 months or so. I think many freelancers fail to notice that they eventually have to branch out if they want to increase their visibility and their income.
BTW, you got a great site. I shall be back again.
Brett Legree | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Well, a thought came to me today that will kick my arse into high gear. I plan to pitch my business to the CEO of my current company, as he “thinks different” i.e. he uses a Mac and we’re a PC shop. Plus, every time I email him, he emails back.
So I think I may be able to get some visibility with him.
The time to strike is now… declare independence
Monika | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: All you need is a visionary alliance who is thinking along the same lines you do and you will be off to a rocking start. Go for it, you’ve got nothing to lose except a crappy job and so much to gain.
Brett Legree | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Well, that’s what I’m thinking. He is a visionary, no doubt. And in these tough financial times, I think I will bend his ear a bit.
If he doesn’t like me, lay me off, I’ve got 32 weeks severance pay!
Tong | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika
I tried some of the freelance writing jobs advertise on the freelance writing website. They just ignore you after you write for them. I wasted my effort doing reseach and write for them. Do you have any advice on that ? Frankly i am a beginner in freelance writing business.