Should You Ask a Client For More Pay?
Being an underpaid writer can be quite frustrating. Many writers consider asking their clients for more pay. Is this really something that you should do though? Here are some things to keep in mind when asking a client for a pay raise.
How Large of a Pay Increase Do You Want?
It is important to consider how much of a pay increase you want before asking. Ideally, you should ask for no more than 8-10%. About 5% is pretty harmless, depending on the amount that you are already making. Keep in mind that it can be a good idea to gradually increase the amount of pay that you want over periods over time. Asking for too much at once can be hurtful to your chances of actually getting it.
Can You Risk Losing the Client?
Another important question to ask yourself is whether you can risk losing this client. Depending on how much you depend on them for your monthly earnings, this can really go either way. As much as we would like to think that all clients will be agreeable to a pay increase, there are many who will become offended or will simply be annoyed by the fact that you have made such a request. This leads to another very important factor to consider.
What is Your Relationship With the Client?
Before making the decision to ask for a pay raise, it is important to consider the relationship that you have with your client. If it has been on a professional level, this is not necessarily a bad thing. If the client has sent you mostly warm and friendly vibes, then asking for a pay raise may be ideal. If your client is very strict and somewhat cold, then it may not be such a good idea to ask for a pay increase unless you are willing to risk losing this client.
There are many factors which determine whether it is a good idea to ask a client for a pay raise. Before requesting an increase in pay, it is important to think about all of these things. If your gut instinct says not to do so, it is important to remember that there is a possibility that your client may turn you down. If you are making too little on the work that you are providing the client with now, it is important to remember that you can always find a new client with a fairer pay scale.