Making the decision to write for a new client can be fairly difficult. With so many internet scams out there, you will want to know what to look out for. Here are some tips on how to know if a client is trying to scam you.

Extremely Low Pay

On the one hand, it is always good for a client to be upfront about their payment terms. However, if you are being offered an extremely low amount of pay that seems really unreasonable, then it is important to keep in mind that you are being scammed in a way. You should not get paid $1 per article if there is somewhere that you can write that same article and get paid a much higher amount of money. Most people will make much more money writing for Associated Content or Demand Studios. Consider how much you’re being paid and whether it seems like a good deal or not before deciding to take on a client full-time.

Delay in Payment

If your client is constantly giving you the run around, this is a good sign that you are being scammed. When you are told that you will be paid on a certain day, then your payment should come on that day. If it is delayed, then you should be given a specific time, and it should definitely come by then. It will be easier to trust a regular client over time, but keep in mind that they can scam you with payment delays as well. For first time clients, it is a good idea to ask for 10 or 25% of the total payment upfront.

Asking For Personal Information

Keep in mind that a client should never ask you for information that is personal. They should not ask for your SSN, unless it is because they want tax information. Although it is not all that common for identity theft scams to happen with writing clients, it is always a possibility that you should be aware of at all times. Any time that you asked for personal info on the internet, you should never provide it and know right away that someone is trying to scam you.

These are just a few signs that a client is trying to scam you. If one or more of these signs seem to happen, it is important to be cautious when making the decision to work for the client. When you begin to notice anything usual happening or if you do not get paid, it is time to take action. But what can you do if a client doesn’t pay you? Check back tomorrow to find out.

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.