I just got an email from a guy I did some work with in the last years – and he is basicly cutting the pay if I don`t agree to continue to work as an independent freelancer.
To give you some backround: I started to “work” for this guy and his company some years back, we knew each other from a sports forum. He had an internet company and was setting up a new website, so I created all the content (all articles, glossary etc) for him for a few bucks. I think back then it was like 400$ but I had nothing else to do and the low pay was not an issue.
He then apporached me if I would write a blog for him with news, articles about sports etc. I could choose the topic and the amount of work I put in, so I said “why not”.
This grew over the years and I was an am paid 2ct/word – which is laughable low, but as I could do what I want, write what I wanted and take days / weeks off as I wanted I was ok with it.
I assumed he would do alle the paper works and taxes and list me as an employee or sth – when he sold the company – for like 35 million $ , he wanted my taxnumber to add value to the company and this website.
This Blog was once number 1 in this niche sports in the country, but with more competitors and no update to the website in 10 years, it declined. But still I assume he made a lot of money with this.
I told him “sure” – just raise the pay so it machtes the normal pay for a blogger – and that was that.
No raise in pay, just stayed as it was, until now.
Now I got an email from him where he tells me to go officially “freelancer” and pay all the taxes – without a raise – or he would only pay a few crumbs per month from now.
I was kind of expecting this as the project grew. But still it caught me off-guard.
I have no problem making this official and paying the taxes – but not for this pay, because I would litterally work for free without pay – or like 1t / word which is like 5$ per hour of straight writing. More like 3 if researching sth.
And now I am torn what to reply:
Demand a raise to 5-10ct/Word and work as a freelancer?
Demand to be officially hired by the company?
Just say: No thanks, I'll take the small tip per month and maybe put like 5-8 hours work per month into it?
Problem is, I can use the money right now. 2 years back or 2 years from now – sure, no problem, I just quit if it does not work out.
I know he is not going to find a replacement. Not for that price, not with my qualification in this field.
But having sold the company – I am not sure if he not just drops the whole project rather than pay a rise – I have no idea how much revenue he is making with this (Bookmaker ads, Bookmaker referels, Ad revenue)
What would you do?