As brand marketers are working to scale their content marketing programs and drive tremendous business growth, they aren’t going it alone.
Skyword’s research survey Scaling Your Brand Marketing With Freelance Creators asserts that 73% of
marketers claim they will depend more on freelance creators over the next year or two. Good news, isn’t it?
Freelance writing is perhaps one of the most outstanding jobs in the world.
The demand for capable writers is at an all-time high, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, considering the humongous amount of content published online every day.
Furthermore, you get to be your own boss, set your hours, work in your cute pajamas, and get paid to write.
That’s more than enough to jump in and get started right away!
However, one of the greatest hurdles, when getting started as a freelancer, is having profound knowledge of how much to charge.
Most of us begin out stuck between two fears. Not charging enough and getting taken advantage of.
It’s a complicated topic, but today’s comprehensive article will show you the crucial aspects you need to
consider and how to set your rates for maximum income.
Let’s dive right in!
FREELANCE RATE CHART: A QUICK OVERVIEW
Beginner
The writers who have got brilliant writing skills but have just stepped foot into the world of freelancing belong to this group.
Such writers have less than a year of experience and fewer than 10 bylines or projects in their portfolios.
Thus, their rate should be somewhere around $50-$100 (blog posts),
$150-$500 (landing pages), $100-$250 (white papers), $300-$1000 (e-books),
and $250-$600 for email sequences.
Intermediate
The writers with 1-3 years of consistent experience as a freelancer fall in this category.
They must have 10 or more bylines or projects in their portfolio to demonstrate their quality of work.
Thus, their rate ranges around $100-$300 (blog posts), $500-$1500(landing pages),
$250-$500 (white papers), $1000-$3000 (e-books), $600-$2000 (email sequences).
Expert
You only come under this category if you have been working as a freelance writer for 3+ years, possess extensive knowledge in your subject area,
are well-recognized within your industry or niche, and hold a stellar track record with a commendable portfolio that demonstrates your expertise.
The rates you can expect if you are an expert are $300-1000+ for blog posts,
$1500-$3000 for landing pages, $500-$1000+ for white papers, $3000-$5000+ for e-books,
and $2000-$4000+ for email sequences.
Again, as per quality data from Upwork, most freelance writers charge somewhere between $15 and $40 per hour on the site.
This can be considered to be some of the most helpful data available for newbies as both freelancers of each skill level and experience earn through Upwork.
ASPECTS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE SETTING YOUR RATES AS A FREELANCE WRITER
If the words of a reputed assignment writing service are anything to go by,
know that the economic value of any copywriting piece and its writer depends on innumerable factors.
None of these aspects is immutable, though some can be changed with more ease than others.
Knowing what these crucial pointers are and how they can create an impact on hiring decisions will put you in a remarkable position to achieve long-term quality success.
Word Count
In the copywriting and content writing realm, charging per word is the most common way for freelancers to the bill. Often,
clients receive quotes on a per word basis. Know that charging per word isn’t that much different from charging per hour.
Most freelancers determine their rate on the basis of how many words they believe they can write in an hour.
Remember, it is not always possible for you to write at the fastest rate. The speed can vary on your project type, mood, and numerous other variables.
Not only, but a relatively concise article requiring interviews or extensive research may also command a higher rate than one that does not.
Thus, while setting your per word rate, it is always wise to assume that you will write 50% slower than you write at your peak efficiency level.
Type Of Content
Know the closer content is to the bottom of the funnel, the likelier it is to cost more.
This is mainly due to the conversion-focused content, like a case study or the white paper is often overly complicated and time-consuming.
Writing such kinds of content requires a more in-depth understanding of the client’s persona.
Per Project
It always takes more work to calculate your rates when you tend to charge per project.
However, it is always better for you and the client as it requires improved levels of communication.
Project-based billing also helps you focus on the value you are delivering to the client rather than just wondering how long a project will take you.
You can also be better off charging per word for a few months before you even start charging per project.
Industry
Often certain industries or niches (as content writers are more likely to refer to them) pay higher rates than others.
As per the Skyword report, freelance writers specializing in technology and equipment services,
human resources, finance, and insurance are likely to report two to threefold the usual earnings.
It provides more than $5000 per month.
Subject-Matter Expertise
75% of brand marketers who were surveyed in the recent Skyword report claim they look for creators who are practitioners or industry professionals.
Even freelance writers, who boast deep subject matter expertise in specific niches and industry credibility like healthcare practitioners or software developers, tend to garner higher rates.
Experience Level
Akin to numerous other professionals, freelance writers tend to charge higher rates as they gain experience in a specific industry.
Brand marketers expect to agree to pay more for the services of seasoned writers than newcomers who are just starting out in the magical world of freelancing and creating their portfolios.
GOLDEN FLAGS BUMPING UP THE RATES OF FREELANCE WRITERS
Stringent Deadlines
When a brand marketer tends to provide a freelance writer an assignment with a short deadline,
the writer may require juggling their other commitments to meet the new stringent deadline.
As per the Skyword report, 72% of such freelance writers charge higher rates for rapid-turnaround assignments.
Interviews
There are some assignments that require the inclusion of subject matter experts or customers.
In such circumstances, it becomes essential for the freelance writer to conduct extensive background research and prep the interview questions for approval in advance.
This arduous process also includes skills and time in conducting the interviews and drawing out the most precious insights.
It is due to these reasons and more, that most freelance writers charge more when interviews are required to include in the content.
Extensive Research
A freelance writer tends to charge rates higher than the normal if content requires extensive research for the time and the effort involved.
Along with the expertise and industry credentials of the writer, well-utilized research tends to ultimately provide the content with more authority and credibility.
Number Of Revision Rounds
Often freelance writers tend to mention a fixed number of standard revision rounds in their contracts.
If an assignment demands additional levels of revision or includes numerous reviewers, the Skyword research often finds that 70% of freelance creators will increase their rates to account for the time and coordination involved.
This is essential as evaluating the feedback and making the requested updates require considerable effort from a freelancer.
FINAL WORDS
Remember, your freelance writing rates are never set in stone. Even when you are happy and satisfied with the rates,
you should still increase them on a daily basis.
With each passing year, you are gaining more expertise and experience.
So, you deserve to get paid more as the quality of your service increases.
We hope that you have all the information you require by now. Go and figure out your rates.
Make your best guess and begin testing.
There is no better feeling than completing a project for a client and seeing the money arriving at your bank account.
Go! Take your leap of faith!