OGUALIGHO CHRONICLES: DESPERATE TIMES, DESPERATE RATES
Guest Post written by Gimbiya Galadima
Times are hard; even the two-year-old clutching to a pack of biscuits knows that the country’s economy
is dwindling. It’s even harder as a freelance writer, after the expenses of detty December and the threat
of the bambiala January. I know it’s hard, but it is a new year and some things have to end.
Last year, I came across some writers who willingly offered to write plagiarism free, SEO articles at low rates between 0.5 and 1 naira per word. That is on the average, between 15 000 to 30 000 naira for 30 000 words which is a complete eBook, that can fetch the writer a lot more money. 30 000 naira is the accepted minimum wage, and few people can survive on such a salary per month.
I also came across sites that pay foreign writers and writers from their countries as much as a dollar per word, that is 360 naira per word. Multiply that by 30 000 and do the math. It is a nice figure, but impossible for a freelance payment in Nigeria. The reason is that too many writers are desperate, and they ruin the market for other writers.
Some of our writers are on Upwork, cashing out thousands of dollars. How do they make so much? They get different jobs that they cannot take on, then contract them to other writers. The maximum pay is between 1.5 to 3.0 naira, and they make off with quality work that costs them a few thousands of naira. The loser is the freelancer who has sold himself or herself short.
I will give another example in the case of these scammers. They prey on desperate writers too, by collecting bulk work and refusing to pay. They will then say the work is terrible, and before you know it, your work is with one client in the abroad, or on some foreign site, making them money. Desperation as a writer runs in different forms; from not finding out information about the client, not using Escrow services, not spelling out terms with the client, accepting ridiculous rates, and sending all your work to a client who has not paid. I will explain these aspects of desperation further.
For example, you get a job from one client through a writing group or on sites like Upwork, freelancer, e.t.c.
You should read reviews and ask questions. Google if possible. You don’t want to be working with someone who doesn’t pay their workers. Times hard o, but shine your eye.
In Escrow services, the client pays to the Company or site from which you are working. It usually comes with a charge, but you are guaranteed that your money is sure if your work is completed and done well. You should also spell out your terms with your client, and be vocal about conditions that you cannot comply with. It will make
things less difficult in the future.
Stop accepting jobs that cannot even buy you airtime, they are a waste of good time and money. If the client says he has writers willing to write at lower rates, tell him or her you have clients willing to pay more. Do not take up jobs that will leave you at a loss when you consider the price of data subscription and research. As for the sending all your work to a client part, you should be careful.
You can agree with the client on milestones that you can submit and receive part payment for. This is to prevent being scammed, especially when a manuscript is involved. Writing is not easy, and it is a skill that should be well rewarded in our country. Do not be desperate, as scammers and opportunistic clients can easily take advantage of you. Shine your eye well ooo.
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Gimbiya Galadima is a fourth-year medical student of the University of Benin. With an acute sense
for literature, she joins the bandwagon of creative writers. She engages in extracurricular activities
including reading, cooking, singing and movie analysis. Galadima is very passionate about African
literature, mental health issues that affect young people and Nigerian jollof rice. She can be reached on
the social media platforms listed below.
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Facebook Handle – Gimbiya Galadima
Instagram Handle – @gimbiyagaladima
Twitter Handle – @JUXTATHINKA
LinkedIn Name – Gimbiya Galadima
Blog/Website – https://juxtathinka.blogspot.com.ng
