Going After The Fruit in Freelance Writing

If you don't ask for something, you'll never know if you can get it. A writer friend of mine used to put the popular quote 'Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." on her blog postings. That phrase really resonated with me and it's what I try to do. I've done it twice lately and it has paid off.

Raising My Rates

A client I've worked with for a year has been great to do business with but I'm still writing for rates I earned a year ago and the work requirements have increased.

I was afraid to lose their steady and reliable business but decided I had no choice but to go out on a limb and ask for an increase based on my year of service and on the increasing keywords in the articles. It took over a week for an answer and I was a bit nervous that they were sending my services out for bid but the end result was a compromise that kept us both happy. I had to take the risk. Even if I'd lost them which was a real possibility. I couldn't continue to write for a pittance when the work requirements were increasing.

Increasing My Profile

My favourite client wants me to write an e-book with him and I've decided to ask if I can be co-author. It's one of my favourite niches and I'm trying to build my profile in this niche. He is paying me a decent price for my services and has every right to just put his own name on the work but he's agreed to let me list myself as a co-author.

I didn't pressure him but told him I wanted co-author status if at all possible. His name can be on the cover but if my name is inside the book it's a win-win situation for me. I get paid and I get recognition.

These two instances show me that if I want something, I have to go after it confidently. Even if both of these things had not worked out in my favour I would be moving forward in my career because I'm going after the things I want in life. To succeed in life, you have to take calculated risks and for me, taking chances lately with my writing career is definitely working in my favour.