Why Freelance Writers Succeed…and Fail at Outsourcing Sites
By Barry Walls • Jun 22nd, 2009 • Category: RecentI came across an interesting post today at Tumblemoose which highlights perfectly the eye opening revelations of existing freelance writers on the Outsource Secrets course.
The anguished howling of writers about low pay, idiotic clients, low paid writers and freelance sites in general is nothing new.
Really…what they should be howling about is their strategy to use these sites to build their businesses. Why are Outsource Secrets members able to bag thousands of dollars of work from these sites when most writers aren’t able to see past the odd idiotic client who hasn’t yet figured out that low pay = low quality?
Why can everyone following the stategies in Outsource Secrets quickly ramp their rates of pay up to $60, $100 and beyond after a couple of months on these sites? How come your diaries are stuffed to breaking point when others can’t get a nibble?
Heres the reason.
Its about understanding the numbers behind these sites and its about working within the parameters these sites offer. Its also about systems and processes for finding the good buyers without spending all morning looking at bids. It’s about making quality bids which stop buyers dead in their tracks and make them think…and its about understanding the dating agency nature of these sites and the potential for long term relationships.
As long as experienced writers take a half look at these sites and flee in disgust, it allows the Outsource Secrets sharks to eat every fish in sight. You guys are the great white sharks of these waters…the Apex Predators. Nothing can touch you. Nothing.
While some writers are starving, you guys are throwing the little fish back overboard in increasing numbers. You’re bagging more work that you can handle from these sites while others can’t even get off the blocks.
As I’ve said before….it’s the business of writing…not the writing itself.
In a word…the difference is strategy.
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Very well said, I agree wholeheartedly.
Great post Barry. It’s made me think about my work because I bid for writing jobs on an outsourcing site.
I’ve had a look at your site and I think its excellent. I will contact you this week…think I’m going to dive in
Bubbles
Hi Barry,
Yep. I totally agree and George has certainly opened up a hornets nest of probabilities. But it is like he said, as long as we accept those piss-poor rates, nothing much will change. I have written on that subject a few times before. In the end it is all to do with metrics as I have learned myself not so long ago. I suppose I was lucky enough to keep raising my rates while refusing to work for a pittance a long time ago – at least most of the time I do.
It takes guts to move your rates because at the time you don’t know whether you made the right decision. But it worked for me each and every time. So this leads me to think that why not raise them to double the current charges.
I’m sure I get takers.
Monika Mundell… “Who boldly goes where so few outsourcers have gone before”
These are the voyages of the star—–you get the point lol
I am gad your decision to get what you are worth has worked for you and I am sure doubling your rates will get you even bigger fish. My only hope is I will be joining your ranks and league in the very near future Monika.
A man better than my self once told me ” you never get what you are worth, only what you negotiate”
I think as soon as I am over the learning hump then “it will all be gravy”.
Hi Dean,
That man was indeed a wise man. I’m sure you get everything you work for Dean. With Barry’s awesome course it will be hard to fail.
Keep on pushing on.
Hopefully, every one can see how incredibly easy it is to raise your rates. You guys have such a huge advantage over the “same as everyone else” writers. That post proved it. Raising your rates is one of the easiest parts of the job. Metrics…its the place money calls home.
It’s a matter of hardwork and being updated (going with the flow). some techniques become outdated and you must make sure that you are researching constantly about new ideas. Be wise..
http://www.outsourcingtemps.com/content-writers.html