Can’t compete with low cost writers?

Low cost writers selling articles for $2 or less aren’t your competition. If you think they are, rethink your freelance writing business plan, because what you have is a hobby, not a business.

Writers aren’t the only ones who feel threatened by hobbyists. Amazingly, some photographers feel threatened by the proliferation of stock photography suppliers online. These suppliers typically sell images for $1 (low res) and upwards. The images are from hobbyist photographers who are grateful for the few cents they get.

Graphic design and photography pros are scrambling to stay viable as barriers to entry fall and stock agencies buy from hobbyist | NicheGeek.com reports:

“Powazek argues that the people posting jobs on his site, who generally offer rewards of $100 or less, aren’t the same customers that use graphic design shops. Sites like Pixish give talented hobbyists ways to build their portfolios and get exposure, he adds. Professionals scapegoat microstock sites and crowdsourced design services instead of examining why their own businesses are struggling, Powazek contends. ‘This isn’t Flickr’s fault. It’s yours,’ he adds.”

In freelance writing, low cost writers are NOT your competition. The businesses which buy from low cost writers can’t afford a professional writer’s rates, and there’s no shame in that.

If you write well, and are reliable, it’s easy to get good rates – you need to learn the skills of marketing yourself however, and treat your writing like a business.

There’s a big difference between the writing produced by a hobbyist writer, who willing accepts low pay, and the output of a professional writer. And businesses pay for quality, in writing as in photography.

Writing professionally includes marketing your services professionally, and targeting those businesses which can afford to pay your rates.

Angela Booth’s writing guides have been created to help you to make money from your writing every day. Join the thousands of writers who are making great money with their writing skills.

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