28 Comments

Another voice to say that I am really grateful that you open up about it. I find myself very uncomfortable talking about it in public, but I'm always up for a money chat with pretty much anyone in private. I find these conversations incredibly helpful, particularly when it comes to charging. I also LOVE reading about other people's experiences, so thank you for sharing!

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Those private conversations are very helpful too, especially when it’s with women in a similar line of work x

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I have just found your writing on substack because of this piece. None of the women I have met throughout my career have been okay nor comfortable talking about money although most of the men I have worked with, before taking on a new client/job/assignment, would call each other to ask how much they were charging and those were everyday 'normal' conversations to have. It's because of essays like yours that we can understand, help each other out, and be okay as women talking about financials in practical terms and not vaguely hinting at it.

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That’s so interesting about money being an open conversation amongst men… I talk quite openly, and perhaps bluntly, about money with my friends because keeping it all quiet feels like there is shame attached to it. I love it when they’re open too x

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I haven't found that freedom yet. When I tried to be open about it within my small circle, I was met with the 'awkward change of subject' moments and slowly stopped sharing.

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Oh really? That’s a shame. Perhaps they will come round to being more open… or perhaps there are other women who might be more aligned with you on this who you can talk with instead x

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If you make a lot of money it is better not to say . . . it makes you a target.

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And thank you for being here, and sharing your thoughts x

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Of course! It feels like this is a welcoming and safe space! x

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Nov 15, 2023Liked by Annie Ridout

I am super grateful for your transparency, whether it’s money or any of the other subjects society considers taboo. It’s why I devour your material whether on substack or your books etc. Opaqueness creates uncertainty, transparency offers inspiration. The judgement, especially by other women, is sad; it’s also obstructive to women lifting other women up. Thank you for your brilliance and especially for your honesty, it’s a big part of what I love about your approach and I’m thrilled for past, current or future financial success, you more than deserve it x

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What a bloody lovely, positive message. Thank you so much xxx

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Nov 15, 2023Liked by Annie Ridout

I appreciate your transparency, Annie, and I find it refreshing. Having worked in startups and freelancing, I've find it VERY helpful to know what peers are charging and being able to benchmark in that way. It is, like you say, inspiring to know what's possible. However, I don't think money is ever about 'just' money. There's so much more wrapped up in it, and it's a hugely emotional topic - so I'm also not surprised that some people get triggered when the topic comes up...

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Yes, you’re right, it is definitely wrapped up in a much bigger picture x

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Nov 15, 2023Liked by Annie Ridout

I am also grateful for your transparency about your earning and wish it was something you felt comfortable continuing (although of course it's no one's business but your own). I'm fascinated to know how much people can earn via Substack, for instance. It really helps with understanding what is possible. I'm quite cross this is something people have come after you about in the past, what a waste of energy!

I wish talking about money wasn't such a taboo, particularly for women. I work as a career coach and find people can get quite embarrassed by admitting that they'd like to earn money from their career - especially if they have a particular figure in mind. Why on earth should this be embarrassing? Are we all meant to work for free? I genuinely believe this discomfort around money talk is part of what leads to problems like gender (and ethnicity, disability etc) pay gaps. It's very much to the advantages of businesses, organisations and the very wealthy that we continue to feel awkward talking about money. But I'm pretty sure it's not helping the rest of us.

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So if you have 1000 subscribers paying £5 a month, you could be earning £250-500/month. Or you could charge £7 a month, and this would go up. As a coach, if you shared a weekly coaching exercise that helped other women to grow their businesses, make more money or just believe in themselves more… I reckon that is definitely worth £7 a month.

I have around 5000 subscribers and my conversion rate is 5-10%. I was going to include that in the article, I’m not quite sure why I took it out… Maybe this is useful information for another article. Xx

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Much appreciated! And yes, this is such a good topic - I'd love to read another article on it : )

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What I will tell you in that a reasonable expectation on Substack is around a 5-10% conversion rate (https://substack.com/going-paid-guide#:~:text=Grow%20a%20paid%20readership,-Not%20every%20writer&text=We%20tend%20to%20see%205,other%20writers%20to%20improve%20it.)

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Very handy thank you! Generally the most difficult career information to source is around earnings (certainly this is not limited to freelance careers) - I dream of one day when we can all be more open about this and when companies are banned from advertising salaries as £competitive (I mean SERIOUSLY!)

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Nov 15, 2023Liked by Annie Ridout

And I agree with Leah, your success is well earned and well deserved!

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You lovely women!

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Yes! It would help reduce the huge gender pay gap in corporate roles if everyone was more open. Plus it’s exciting to have something to aim for, aspirational to hear what others are earning and help you to see what could be possible for you.

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Honesty all the way, it empowers us and we need that.

The shame and discomfort around money is so tightly woven into our society. Why is it considered “bad manners” to discuss it openly? Who made up that rule? I’m guessing the good old Patriarchy.

Money is the physical form of an exchange of energy so why hide what your energy is worth?

Probably a huge over simplification of a complex topic but hey, isn’t everything?!

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Grateful for your work Annie! ⭕️✨ I’d love an email chat about money!

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I've always been the one sharing this information, especially with other women, because I think women are generally more shy when it comes to asking for what they want/deserve financially. I also believe that raising others' up raises everyone up. Luckily I was coached by my mom to always ask for my worth, and so I try to pass that along to others, even if they don't share the same information back to me. I have helped friends negotiate the salaries they desired, and I have told coworkers who had been on longer and should have been making more how much I earned so they had a barometer of what to ask for (I don't think my boss appreciated this though). I do think that it's in the best interest of bosses for their workers not to know how much everyone earns, and it capitalizes on those people (usually women) who don't counter or negotiate because they're uncomfortable. Luckily now that I'm on my own I have male friends that are open and will tell me what they charge and that I don't charge enough. Anyway, long comment because this is a topic I always feel I have a rant on, and therefore I enjoyed reading and am happy that you are transparent! (one of the reasons I'm here)

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Thanks for sharing your open and honest thoughts Annie. I personally find it very inspiring... and such an antidote to the six figure nonsense. It’s very real and kind which I like. It makes me feel so sad that we are living in a society where people think it’s acceptable to be nasty for sharing an opinion - I’m sorry you had that experience

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Really find it so fascinating and inspiring to read this transparency around finances. It takes the shame and secrecy out of it. Thank you! X

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Meant to say *your past, current or future financial success 😊

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