How to ask for more money — and actually get it
It's much simpler and less awkward than it seems
When you take on a freelance assignment, do you accept the first rate you’re offered?
If so, let the most recent time you did that be the last. You won’t get more money every time you ask, but you’ll never get more money if you don’t ask.
First, let’s look at why you should always ask for more on (almost) every assignment.
But before we get there: I'm putting together an anonymous database of rates freelancers have been paid recently. If you wanna throw in a rate or two you got recently, I would love for you to fill out this quick little survey! I'll publish a regularly updated database weekly so we can all get a little more insight into who pays what and what we should be asking for. Click here to share your money talk.
Now, if you’ve been to a FWT panel, you’ve surely heard me give this spiel, but let’s just get it on the record here: I think you should always ask for more on (almost) every assignment because there are literally only three outcomes: 1. You ask for more money, and you get it. Hooray! That money was on the table and you got it. Great job! 2. You ask for more money, and you don’t get it. Not ideal, but hey, at least you asked (and you got some practice asking!). 3. The editor responds coldly, dismissively, or rudely. This is rare, but it occasionally happens. Yes, it feels terrible in the moment. But now you know that that editor is not an editor you want to work with, and you can tell all your freelance friends what happened so they can avoid him, too. Good editors want to pay you more and will do what they can to maximize the money you get for your work.
So when should I ask?
In my experience, both as a commissioning editor at NYT and as a freelancer, there are two times that are perfect for asking: 1. When you’re working with an editor for the first time (note that I’m saying editor and not publication, because different editors can pay different rates at the same pub), and 2. Every two or three assignments you take with an editor you regularly work with.
Let’s look at the first scenario: You’re working with this editor for the first time.
Recently I’ve taken on assignments from a few publications I’ve never freelanced with before. Every time I have used a variation of the following phrase when the conversation heads to a rate, and every time it has gotten me more money:
“Super excited for this assignment! And I just wanted to ask: Is there any wiggle room in the budget to increase the rate? I was hoping to be around [amount I actually want].”
The first time I did this I got 20% more money, the second time I got 50% more money, and the third time I got 10% more money. Of course, this won’t work every time, and YMMV. But I love this phrasing because it makes the negotiation feel less personal and more like a business transaction — which is exactly what it is. Editors don’t commission you because they think you’re cool or they want to be your friend; they commission you because you have a great idea that furthers their goals for their publication.
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Now, the second scenario: You’ve been working with an editor for a while, and you want to revisit your rate.
Every two or three assignments, I suggest sending along some variation of this language, which I have suggested before:
“Thanks again for this assignment! I just wanted to ask: We’ve done X, Y, and Z stories together, and I’m wondering if with this new assignment we could revisit my rate? I’d love to be at around [rate]. Thanks!”
It really is that simple. No need to apologize for asking, no need to couch it in soft language. It’s an editor’s job to deal with budget issues, and this is a budget issue. So just ask!
(Here’s where I’ll say that asking for more money is never easy, but the more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll feel doing it. This is a great story by my good friend A.C. Shilton to read if the idea of asking for more money is already giving you anxiety.)
Is that really it?
Yep, that’s really it. And we journalists should share what we make because it’s good for the industry! We would all be better off if we did. Journalism is not a calling, a “dream job,” or any of the other terms that rich people have brainwashed us to believe in so we can make them richer. We can love what we do, love the things we’re able to write, and love the coverage we’re able to provide to people. I absolutely do! But journalism is still a job that we do to make money so we can pay rent and buy food. We should treat it as such and aggressively go after every single dollar we can.
Good luck, and go get fking paid!!!
Oh, a few other things …
• I am opening back up timeslots for one-on-one coaching! After a little break, I’m offering one-on-one sessions again. This can include anything you need help with: pitch feedback, writing and/or editing coaching, story development, story editing, social strategy, and anything else. Book a timeslot here.
• Psst … I’m (very) soft-launching the beta version of the FWT Slack. Eventually this will be a paid-only feature, but I would love for you to join and start participating! Once you’re in you’ll have access forever, whether you’re a paid sub or not, so join now and you’ll always have a place. Click here to join. (And I’d love any and all feedback you might have!)
• Friend of FWT Mandy Hofmockel offers one of my favorite journalism newsletters around: Journalism jobs and a photo of my dog. It’s a wonderfully comprehensive — and hand-built — listing of journalism jobs all over the country. If you’re in the market and looking, read and subscribe here!
Okay bye ily!
-Tim ❤️
Thank you for this, Tim. What about a scenario where you are one of several regular contributors to a site. If you get a bump in rate, would that make you less likely to score assignments over the others who are paid the going rate?