How Do You Price Freelance Writing? (Copy)
Let's talk about what should impact your freelance rate when you're creating a pitch or an offer for a freelance writing client. While you should definitely have a baseline of rates in your head, I’d warn against a one-size-fits all approach to every single potential writing gig. Here’s a quick overview on how to price your freelance writing services.
Step 1: Understand the client’s needs
The first thing I take into account is the brief. What is the client going to give you in advance to help you prepare? Do you get an outline? Do you get research sources? The less they give you, the more you should charge .
Step 2: Confirm editing expectations
I always confirm the round number of round of edits that I'll include. I typically limit to two, and then provide an hourly rate for any additional changes. But always establish that ahead of time so that project isn't dragging on and you're ready to move on.
Step 3: Consider sourcing requirements
Finally, think about sourcing requirements. Does the project require interviews with subject matter experts? Do you have to do inline citations that can add a lot of time to a project? If so, make sure that work reflected in your rate.
What to Avoid When Setting Your Freelance Rate
There are two things that I do not let impact my rates as a freelance writer. The first one is volume. A lot of times clients try to lure you in with promises of tons of work. Then they follow up with this question: “Can I do a discounted rate?”
Your answer should be: No, you can't. Your time is your time. You’ll earn less, feel inclined to rush through a project, and eventually become resentful of that discounted rate. So it’s best to avoid it altogether (unless you’re in a financial pinch and need the money, of course).
Finally, think about turnaround time. There have only been a handful of instances where I've charged a rush fee of 25% on a holiday weekend. But normally I try to avoid that and simply just say whether or not I can meet a tight deadline.
Another tip: If I can't meet a client's deadline that they initially propose, sometimes I'll just say, “Hey, I could get it done by [fill in date]. Does that work for you?”
Then they can say yes or no and kind of play around with the final deadline. Oftentimes, clients are just throwing out a date but actually have some wiggle room, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Consider all of these factors when it comes to freelance pricing. Also remember to clarify expectations before you finalize a project with the client just to make sure you're both on the same page and know what to expect from each other.
Read another blogpost
