When I read the list of what you have completed so far this year, I think to myself WOW you are such a successful and productive person!! It is seriously unfair that you don't get paid far more. I also think that even though you may have spent X amount of hours working on a piece, that doesn't necessarily take into account all the time you spent thinking about it.
I love this - super helpful breakdown, and I notice you're not SPENDING anything on business development, so bravo for you! I'm doing something similar for my all-over-the-place income, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm only interested in writing the kind of stuff that doesn't need massive time to complete. So - mostly short articles and essays on parenting, aging, decluttering, etc. They're not big earners, but I can do them so quickly that I can make up to $250/hr on them. I'm currently not collecting enough assignments to build the bottom line I want, but it's gratifying when they appear.
Thanks for the breakdown and the honesty, Sarah. I'm struggling with the numbers, too, as I try to transition out of my current job. I agree with the other comments that, as talented as you are, you should be getting paid more. 💚
Thanks so much for the transparency of this work-to-income breakdown! It's truly helpful to see actual numbers like this--not in a prurient way, but simply to get a realistic sense of freelance income numbers, especially from a writer as accomplished as yourself. I must take issue with the assessment that you're not "hustling" enough, though--I think you are *astoundingly* productive, and a true freelance writing inspiration. Thanks again for yet another engaging and helpful newsletter post, and Happy Memorial Day!!
Thank goddess you did the math so I didn't have to! That is a PITIFUL salary for a person as massively talented and efficient as you, and your story makes salient why I, as a single person without kids but who does live alone in Los Angeles with my baby kitties, have to treat my writing gigs like icing on the cake. The design skills I taught myself--as a function of marketing said writing skills--pay so much better and leave me with the psychic space to do the unpaid work that is my current big lift artistic project, and I'm very grateful for this true stroke of luck. Freelancing in any field ain't what it used to be.
Also, that song is fire! Love the late '90s aesthetic. Gimme a bucket hat any day. Covers my crows' feet... ;-)
When I read the list of what you have completed so far this year, I think to myself WOW you are such a successful and productive person!! It is seriously unfair that you don't get paid far more. I also think that even though you may have spent X amount of hours working on a piece, that doesn't necessarily take into account all the time you spent thinking about it.
I love your transparency! Thanks for the breakdown and candor. Sounds like a helpful course. I hope you meet all of your goals for the year.
I love this - super helpful breakdown, and I notice you're not SPENDING anything on business development, so bravo for you! I'm doing something similar for my all-over-the-place income, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm only interested in writing the kind of stuff that doesn't need massive time to complete. So - mostly short articles and essays on parenting, aging, decluttering, etc. They're not big earners, but I can do them so quickly that I can make up to $250/hr on them. I'm currently not collecting enough assignments to build the bottom line I want, but it's gratifying when they appear.
I really appreciated this post. Happy 45 and hoping more exciting projects come your way, you're so talented and such an inspiration!
Thanks for the breakdown and the honesty, Sarah. I'm struggling with the numbers, too, as I try to transition out of my current job. I agree with the other comments that, as talented as you are, you should be getting paid more. 💚
Thanks so much for the transparency of this work-to-income breakdown! It's truly helpful to see actual numbers like this--not in a prurient way, but simply to get a realistic sense of freelance income numbers, especially from a writer as accomplished as yourself. I must take issue with the assessment that you're not "hustling" enough, though--I think you are *astoundingly* productive, and a true freelance writing inspiration. Thanks again for yet another engaging and helpful newsletter post, and Happy Memorial Day!!
Happy belated birthday!
Thank goddess you did the math so I didn't have to! That is a PITIFUL salary for a person as massively talented and efficient as you, and your story makes salient why I, as a single person without kids but who does live alone in Los Angeles with my baby kitties, have to treat my writing gigs like icing on the cake. The design skills I taught myself--as a function of marketing said writing skills--pay so much better and leave me with the psychic space to do the unpaid work that is my current big lift artistic project, and I'm very grateful for this true stroke of luck. Freelancing in any field ain't what it used to be.
Also, that song is fire! Love the late '90s aesthetic. Gimme a bucket hat any day. Covers my crows' feet... ;-)