Of course consultants make more money. Its why journalists become PR people, because most writers can't live or support a family on a writer's salary. Now, a copywriter is different, and can make rates as high as some of those consulting rates as well. As is typical in writing, people at the very top -- in this case, I would guess the top .5% -- make good money, others, not so much. - Robin Seidner via FriendFeed MT Plugin

Oh wow top 20 just getting $25 and the low grade bloggers get higher? I know bloggers who are being paid higher than this, but are not well known all over. - Chetan Bhawani via FriendFeed MT Plugin

Marshall, thanks for putting the data together. As part of the equation, there is the area of demand and offering in the market. If I offer something nobody else can, I can charge higher. If everybody has my skills, well then I might have to find something different. I for one, prefer retainer based work as it takes away the "but you only talked to me for 10 min" and encourages them to draw on my expertise. Like every professional knows - the answers you can deliver to some people even when you are not awake would take them ages to get somewhere else. This is something they have to pay, because it took you money to get to this point too. Plus if the client as a results makes big bucks with it or it is worth bigs bucks to them, I see no reason why my expertise should be pay with a minimum wage. Charging a premium if it enables you to make a premium is only fair deal. Last but not least, from the other side: Having expertise in an area the client needs is important. I find often that many do not understa - Nicole Simon via FriendFeed MT Plugin