62 Comments

    • Haha you have to laugh at some of the “offers” don’t you! Scary thing is, some people are probably saying yes. One of the Facebook groups I’m in shares bloggers ops and there are bloggers clamouring to review a chocolate bar!

  1. Great advice! I don’t blog for the money, and I never get involved in selling myself out for someone else’s advertising, nor do I ever allow guest posts on my blog for any amount.

    If I tell someone I’m a writer, I have often heard the following: “A lot of people have told me that my life’s been so interesting, I should write a book… but I can’t write. If you’d write it for me, I’ll split the money with you.” Oh, yeah? What if it sells poorly, or doesn’t sell at all? And who’s going to pay my bills while I’m refusing all other jobs so I can work on your book? When I tell them I need money up-front, they always back away.

  2. Thanks for this post, Debbie. It never fails to frustrate me how many writers work for free (cough cough HuffPo). It damages and devalues the entire industry.

    I find I’m most often offered low-ball fees for editing and public relations, two of the most time-consuming jobs on the planet. I have no problem saying no to both. There might not be a better-paying gig around the corner, but I’d rather spend my time working on books than killing myself for someone who doesn’t value my time and experience.

    • I’ve never understood the obsession with HuffPo – bloggers get so excited to write for them and I’m always like well they’re not paying you, why wouldn’t they accept your post?

      Strangely I’ve always been approached with reasonable offers for editing – it always seems to be blog advertising that brings in the eye rolling offers. And you’re so right – there are so many better ways to spend your time than working for someone who doesn’t see value in you.

  3. Chloe

    Hi, thanks for this post Debbie. Indeed not everyone wishes to be paid for their work. Those who do it as their full time job or not should be valued for what they do. It is what is acceptable for them as an individual and politely decline those very optimistic emails shall I say #BloggerClubUK

  4. Sophie

    Great post Debbie. I get regular emails offering peanuts and sometimes they get quite cross when I refuse or tell them how much I charge! In fact one emailer was very persistent and sent me over 10 emails asking me why I would not accept his proposal. #bloggerclubuk

  5. I’ve been on both sides of this but now I’m standing my ground so much more. I think in the early days, when you’re trying to get your blog and your writing established, it’s ok to take more lower paid work on. But as you become more established and your readers grow, it’s definitely important to know your worth. #BloggerClubUK

  6. Kirsty

    I laugh when I look back at what I used to accept. Now I don’t accept low paid work unless there is a long term relationship in it andI think it may be worth it. But that is an extremely rare occurrence. Now I actually get much better ops and relish saying no! #BloggerClubUK

  7. It’s so true – sometimes it can be tempting to accept low paid work, but when working means time away from my children I have to prioritise well paid work and just be strict with myself! #BloggerClubUK

  8. I have recently became part of a group that connects me to products wanting a person to use them and give feedback and a facebook post or blog post. I have accepted a few. Declined a few. I am not going to write a blog post, FB post, instagram and twitter for a free product costing only 10 bucks. My time is worth more. I see your point. #bloggerclubUK

  9. Great and important post. Having said that what a sad world where hard workers are so desperate for cash they end up taking anything for quality work. Not good at all. I think we need a union! #BloggerClubUK

  10. mummy here and there

    This is a really interesting post and you have made some good points that have got me thinking! X #bloggerclubuk

  11. I literally had to explain to a PR today that whilst I appreciated they were collaborating with a charity so didn’t have budget to promote their services but could I do it for free, promote them and their charity link. My mortgage company don’t treat me as a charity and I have to pay them regardless, so if I take time out to create something for them for free i have to turn down something that would have paid. She just couldn’t comprehend why I wasn’t interested. Ha ha. #BloggerClubUK

  12. Thank you for this, I’m still quite new to blogging and I thought £25 was a good payment so I’m so glad I read this!! Maybe I should do more research on what is an appropriate amount!
    #BloggerClubUK

  13. Fi Anderson

    None assertive people have no idea how intimidating and anxiety producing actually putting your foot down and saying No is! Loved this! #bloggerclubuk

  14. When I began to get the emails from PR companies I was so flattered that they were contacting me that I would jump at the chance to work with them. I suddenly cam to the realisation of all the above after I panicked about meeting a deadline due to being mega busy for a product that was worth about £10!
    Now I’ve stopped accepting low paid offers. I don’t get high paid offers due to my irregular blogging efforts and meagre following but I’m much happier 🙂 x
    #bloggerclubuk

  15. I agree with everything you’ve said and it does make sense. But how hard must it be for some parents who are short of money to turn down any paid work. I think there will always be bloggers who need to take that low offer, even if only in the beginning. As Helen (Talking Mums) refers to in her comment, suddenly they will realise the hard work & effort to do a good job is worth far more than that low offer.
    #BloggerClubUK

    • I totally understand that – when you first start out, it can be so flattering that someone wants to pay you, that you don’t even realise that the offer is an insult. It just makes me sad that people don’t know they are worth much more than that. And if everyone stopped accepting these insulting offers, PRs would have to start making realistic offers that would be worth our time and effort.

  16. Thank you for this! I am a newer blogger and have been weeding through e-mails and messages from companies asking for me to do things for free or for peanuts and I am in no way ready to start charging for my work, but this reminds me of what blogging is worth! Thank you for sharing!
    #BloggerClubUK

  17. My blog is 7 weeks old and I feel I am so grateful for work already coming my way – a couple paid by most are an item in exchange for a review which I am totally happy about. I am yet to be approached by companies for paid work. I feel I need to be blogging for a good while yet #bloggerclubuk

  18. I think we can all be a little naive in the beginning. Blogging is the biggest of learning curves and payment for posts is such a grey area that a lot of people have only just started talking about. Hopefully this will help out a lot of people. #bloggerclubuk

  19. Carol Cameleon

    It’s only in recent months that I’ve begun to stand my ground and known when to walk away from low paying jobs. It comes with confidence and self-belief I think. thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk

  20. I agree completely, I think every bloggers needs to value their work and decline offers that are low. It hurts their brand/blog and makes it harder to ask for more in future. #AnythingGoes

  21. Great advice! We’re hobby bloggers and don’t do it for the money however if we did we’d never want to undersell ourselves. Must be hard for a freelancer 🙁 especially when people approach you with no budget! #AnythingGoes x

  22. A lot to think about. I usually do a few free school visits pro bono for events like Read Across America. Realistically though, I am losing a whole day plus my travel expenses. There needs to be a balance. You have made valid points.

  23. its so hard isn’t it. I’m trying to start making a bit of money from my blog but i have no idea what the going rates are for a post, a review an article etc… Its going to be a steep learning curve I think! #anythinggoes

  24. I haven’t started pitching yet and have only done stuff so far because there has been something in it for me….be it a brand association, or a freebie worth something in exchange. I’m at that stage now when I could take things up a notch and you are so right, we shouldn’t be selling ourselves short. Thanks for the motivation to believe in myself. #AnythingGoes

  25. I’m in a weird position, because blogging is my hobby in which I put a real effort and to me it’s fully clear I don’t want blogging to become my job. So I sometime even go searching for… free labour :D. I’ve contacted some people for some writing projects which would be completely crazy for a fulltime blogger. I am doing this because it interests me which, I being me, motivated me even better than a paying job :D.
    Anyway I think your advice is great for people who want to work as bloggers. No one should work for free. #AnythingGoes

    • If it works for you then you do you! It just irritates me that people get taken advantage of because they don’t realise how valuable they are to brands, but if you know that and make a choice to not charge, then that’s different – if it motivates you then it’s working 🙂

  26. Welsh Mum Writing

    Great advice and a good reminder. I’ve said no to a lot recently. I’m a beginner but my time is still precious. #AnythingGoes

  27. Dad_Effect

    Thanks for sharing. I’ll keep it in mind if ever I get an offered payment for my writing (not that I expect that will ever happen). Good to read anyway. #AnythingGoes

  28. “Every time you accept a low ball payment, you’re telling the person paying you that you are ok with it” So true, we have to think long term or we are creating a rod for our own backs. Timely post #AnythingGoes

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