So you need a freelance writer but are unsure what you should be spending, right? Don’t worry, you’re not the first. When it comes to how much should I pay a freelance writer, there are many factors to consider.
Find the section you need quickly by clicking below:
- How Much Should I Pay a Freelance Writer? The Basics
- Types of Freelance Writing Rates That Determine How Much Should I Pay a Freelance Writer?
- Freelancers Starting Out: What Should My Rates Be?
- Extra Things to Think About When Pricing
- Should I Post Rates on My Website?
- Why Not Give Us a Go?
How Much Should I Pay a Freelance Writer? The Basics
When looking for the right individual that will ensure amazing results, the following must be taken into consideration to determine how much you should be spending:
- The type of project
- The volume
- The experience level needed
- The deadline
- The project detail
- If management is needed
A recent survey by makealivingwriting found that writers’ average rates varied significantly. The largest pool of writers stated they charge between $0 to $10 per hour. However, this is the case for many that are just starting out in the field.
10% of those surveyed say they charged $76 to $100 per hour and the rest were in between. Therefore this really does show how the quality can change relating to the rate. Along with, others factors that we pointed out.
The Type of Project
Trying to figure out how much should I pay a freelance writer can be a real headache. The type of project will greatly impact how much your budget will increase or decrease by. For example, freelance writers can usually create the following content types:
- Blogs
- Articles
- Website Content
- Email Copy
- Management After Creation
However it doesn’t stop there, many also specialize in other types such as e-books or video marketing scripts!
The point being, the price of your project can vary per category it falls into.
The Volume
When looking into rates be sure to relate them to your volume needs. For example, many freelance writers will boast about their low affordable prices only to ramp them up for larger projects.
A good method to prevent this is knowing an estimate of the words needed and asking them to provide a quote for the whole project. Hopefully, removing the possibility of any nasty surprises!
The Experience Level Needed
Like any industry, the higher the experience level the higher the price. Freelance writing is an art, and like any piece of art, it can be examined closely to see the quality.
When you’re representing a business then it’s best to make sure the experience level is high. If not then the project will not have the desired effect.
A good starting point is to make sure that the individual has at least 1-2 years in the field. This is enough time to create content for its intended purpose without you needing to redo it.
Heard of content mills? For real basic tasks that require only an average understanding of the language then they provide a cheap solution.
The Deadline
Lastly, you will need to agree to a deadline. The majority of freelance writers take about 3-4 days for projects around 1,000 to 2,000 words. However, longer projects can take up to 7 days to complete.
Many freelancers will expedite the process but it won’t come cheap. You can expect another fee to be added for faster service.
The Project Detail
Writing is just one part of the process. If you need pictures, formatting, SEO, or other addons then expect to pay more. A freelance writer will most likely be able to complete all these extra features but it may take longer.
Oh, and don’t forget that you’ll be paying more.
For those that have heavily detailed projects, please contact the freelancer first to discuss all the different bits and pieces you need.
Management After Creation
Once the work has been successfully created it’s time to use it. Either you’ll do this yourself or pay the writer to publish it for you. This will set you back even further if you want to automate the process.
Prices are typically quite high for content management because of the experience needed to publish it correctly. For instance, you could be facing around $30 for blog management. Now remember, you’re paying for the skills and knowledge needed to do the job right.
Types of Freelance Writing Rates That Determine How Much Should I Pay a Freelance Writer?
Once you have a rough budget from looking at the basics, it’s time to understand how freelance writers actually charge for their services?
Let’s take a look:
- Per Project
- Per Word
- Per Hour
- Per Page
- Retainer Fee
You will most likely find that the majority of writers will charge a per-word fee. Although, if you’re unsure of some of the aspects of your project then a per hour cost would most likely be used.
Keep in mind that there could always be extra costs added on, like the ones we’ve already spoken about. It’s always best to speak to the writer to understand their copywriting rates.
Freelancers Starting Out: What Should My Rates Be?
Now we’ve discussed how much should I pay a freelance writer. What if you’re a new freelancer starting out?
Without a solid understanding of how to charge clients effectively, freelancers could come across as unprofessional or unvalued.
So, where to start? Well, 3 main points should be well-thought about before providing your rates to potential customers. They include:
- What do you have to offer?
- The time taken for projects
- Estimated amount you want to make
What Do You Have to Offer?
Even when starting out not all freelancers will be the same. Some may begin in the field with prior experience from work they’ve done, others could have a degree or certification in writing. Obviously, these factors will influence how much you can confidently charge for your ability.
Don’t feel overwhelmed if you currently don’t possess any of these factors. Writers that have gone onto achieving 6 figure salaries began with almost no knowledge of the sector. However, when beginning, their prices were often a lot lower than the competition to stand out.
Some even start out as a content mill. With no experience or knowledge needed, projects can be attained quickly. The only downside is the pay is very low.
Whatever you decide, be sure to focus on finding a particular niche you’re interested in. If you’re passionate about a certain topic area then the projects will flow easily. Plus, many businesses will want individuals with relevant niche understanding.
The Time Taken for Projects
Each project will take a different amount of time to complete. Whether you’re working on the blog, website content, or email copy. Therefore, rates should be adjusted accordingly depending on the number of hours spent creating each one.
Although it doesn’t stop there. Writing is usually only one part of the process. Research can take up a massive amount of time. Then on top of that, the editing and revision factors will dramatically increase the length.
Let’s break this down into an example. Say you’ve been asked to write an article for $100. If it’s written in an hour, then fantastic. But, if it’s taken 3 hours to research and proofread then your earning will reduce from $100 an hour to $25.
That’s why it’s a good idea to use an hourly rate when starting out. Eventually you’ll figure out the other payment rates but until then this is the best way to go.
Estimated Amount You Want to Make
The end goal is to figure out how much you’ll be making per year. By doing so, you’ll be able to see if freelancing can meet the lifestyle you want to achieve.
Here are some simple calculations for you to get your head around:
If you want $50,000 a year, and only want to work 30 hours a week then you need to make at least $34 an hour.
$50,000 / 50 weeks (average working weeks) = $1,000 per week.
$1,000 per week / 30 hours = $33.3
This must include research, editing, revisions. So keep this in mind when charging.
Although that’s only half of it! A freelance writer must devote a lot of time to taking care of general business tasks. This includes invoicing clients, marketing, tax, and more.
Be sure to calculate these factors into your per-hour rate as well. There are two main ways to do this. Either adjust the per hour rate to incorporate these responsibilities, or add a few extra hours to your workweek that you know won’t be paid.
And finally, do not forget about costs. Every business whether a multi-national one or a sole freelancer will incur costs. These costs will need to be analyzed to see the impact they have on your earnings.
For instance, if you’re charging $34 with the aim to make $50,000 a year, but you have $500 in expenses and tax then you won’t hit your target.
$500 x 12 = $6,000
Therefore, $50,000 revenue – $6,000 expenses and tax = $44,000
In other words, you’ll need to adjust the per hour rate you’re trying to achieve to cover all expenses gained through the business. In this case, you would need to charge $38.
Extra Things to Think About When Pricing
We covered the main part you need to figure out when setting up your rates, but there are obviously many other factors that must be addressed if you want to run a successful freelancing business.
These consist of:
Location – This can play a massive role in deciding rates. The cost of living may be lower or higher in your area. Depending on this can impact how much you need to live comfortably. Furthermore, this relates to the customer as well. They may be used to paying higher rates for United States writers compared to those from developing countries.
Type of Client – Is the client requiring work for a non-profit? Or maybe a new start-up? Then you may be inclined to offer a discounted rate. Especially with the possibility of long-term projects.
Marketing projects – A great way to receive revenue over a long period of time is to offer royalties. Let clients pay you a small percentage depending on how well the content you’ve created performs. Whether it be through affiliate marketing or email campaign.
The rights – Some clients may be happy with you keeping the rights of the work. If so, you can keep the work and sell it a second time to another client. Obviously, this doesn’t apply to most projects as they must be tailored to meet the requirements. But you could potentially use the work as a template to speed up the process.
The workload – If the client is looking for a long-term writer for ongoing projects, then you should definitely consider providing them a discount. Your marketing costs could be significantly lowered if you’re constantly working on content that is needed by a returning buyer.
Should I Post Rates on My Website?
After deciding rates it’s time to let the world know about them. Now this question is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, clients will see you as transparent which could lead them to using your service. On the other, it could sway them away if you’re coming in too high without the chance to discuss discounts.
Whatever you decide, make sure to keep consistency. Have set prices for each type of freelance writing you offer, and the additional service. Furthermore, the exact same rule applies to the type of discounts you give.
For example, if it’s a long-term project then offer a fixed percentage discount to all. The point being so you can control how much you’re making to keep the finances looking neat and tidy.
Why Not Give Us a Go?
Hopefully, we’ve answered: how much should I pay a freelance writer? Along with giving some helpful advice for those freelancers starting out. If you’re looking for writers for your project, then you’ve come to the right place…
At Killer Copywriting we have collected the world’s best freelance writers. With many years of experience between them, you can expect optimal results every time.
With many different writing services provided, why not take a look at what we’ve got to offer? Click here.