Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Introduction
Are you interested in setting freelance writing rates in 2023? If so, you’ve come to the right place! This article will mention a beginner-friendly guide on how to set freelance writing rates in the future.
By following our tips, you can determine what type of work is worth your time and effort and set your fees accordingly. So without further ado, let’s get started!
What are the Different Types of Freelance Writer Rates?
The freelance writer should be able to charge a decent amount for their services because if you don’t, then freelance writing is not worth it.
Understanding the various rates you can establish is the first step in determining what to charge. Freelance writing rates may be classified into five categories:
- By the project or flat rate
- By the hour
- By the word count
- By the page
- Retainer fee for ongoing work
If businesses want consistent, ongoing work, most corporations engaging freelance writers will choose to pay by the job or retainer. Articles are usually paid for per word in consumer magazines, online and off.
Trade journals and publishing industries offer per-word rate or flat fee advertising options. A per-hour rate or by the project will likely be charged for business, technical, and marketing writing work. Long projects, such as manuals, books, or editing, often use payment by page.
If you’re a freelance writer, the year 2023 might be the perfect opportunity to advance your career.
What are the Different Kinds of Freelance Writing Tasks?
We’ve compiled a guide to the most frequent sorts of freelance writing jobs to assist you to
get started.
1 – Article/Feature Writing
When individuals think about freelancing, this is perhaps the most prevalent style of writing they come up with. Whether for online or print mediums, or a mix of the two, many freelancers operate on an individual article basis.
You may write about things that fascinate you, things you’re a specialist in, or things you’re passionate about as an article or feature writer. If you want to, you can pursue the topics that interest you and carve out a niche for yourself.
It could include writing for websites or newspapers and magazines. For example, you can charge up to $100 for a blog post of 1,000 words. Or, you can charge based on the most popular hourly rates, such as $20/hr, $40/hr, and $30/hr, depending on your experience level. You can charge higher rates when you deliver more orders and gain confidence.
2 – Copywriting/Content Writing
You’ll produce material for companies to establish and promote their brand, persuade consumers and clients, and market goods and services as a freelance copywriter or content writer. As a copy or content writer, you may create the following types of content:
- Advertising copy
- Website content
- SEO-optimized blog posts
- Emails
- EDMs
- Press releases
- White papers
- In-house publications (such as ebooks or custom magazine publications)
Here, you can charge up to $150 for an email of 500 words and up to $300 for white papers of around 1,500 words. On the other hand, the most famous hourly rates of copywriters range between $19-$45 based on the nature of the projects and the amount of experience.
3 – Blogging
When creating business blog posts as part of a content marketing strategy, blogging is a sub-category of content writing, and it may also be a stand-alone freelance job.
4 – Social Media Content
While many corporations handle their social media presence internally, others outsource material production to freelancers. It can be hard and time-consuming for freelance writers to organize, write, and schedule social media posts on various platforms.
The hourly rates of social media content writers range between $15 to $30, all based upon the amount of effort you’ll have to put in and, obviously, your experience.
5 – Editing
From corporations that want their content checked to individuals who require an editor for their book, freelance proofreaders and editors provide services to all types of clients. Proofreaders or editors cost between $18 and $35, depending upon their work type and experience. And it could be $0.14 to $0.18 per word or $3.50 to $4.50 per page.
What Factors to be Considered for Setting Freelance Writing Rates in 2023? [Based on Job Types]
Of course, after one day of work, a new writer isn’t likely to charge $1,000+. Writing rates are meaningless if you can’t offer the client value and thus drive leads and revenue for them. In terms of:
- How swiftly they can write.
- Pricing structure.
- Business objectives, every writer is unique.
Your freelance writing rate should be the following:
- Charge competitive rates for your business that makes the most sense
- Fuel your marketing efforts by targeting the right channels for leads
A Quick Overview of Fair Freelance Writing Rates
- $250 to $399 is the ideal rate for a 1,500-word blog post.
- $500 to $999 is the ideal rate for writing a whitepaper of over 2000 words.
- The most popular pricing mechanism is per project.
For years, freelance writers have been a valuable business asset. Freelance writers grew in demand when COVID-19 arose, and companies and consumers went online.
16% of freelancers began less than a year ago as of November 2021, illustrating how many freelance jobs emerged during the pandemic. Freelancing for one to two years was reported by 19% of respondents. While the vast bulk of freelancers (65%) have worked as writers for two to ten years, they have all worked as freelancers.
Important Points to Consider Before Setting Your Ideal Freelance Writing Rates in 2023
You’ll need to tailor your pricing to fit your objectives, abilities, and experience when you understand how writing is priced and the typical rates for various forms of writing. To help you decide, here are three things to think about:
What’s Your Goal in Freelance Writing Business?
It’s a good idea to determine what you want to earn and how much you want to work before starting a new project so that you don’t end up billing by the project. You must take employment that pays $30 per hour to work 20 hours a week and earn $30,000 annually.
What’s Your Time Consumption for Writing?
You’ll want to think about the kinds of projects you’ll be assigned and how many hours it will take you from start to finish while setting your rates. What type of writing are you going to be creating? What about Internet websites? What about the newsletters? Are there any website problems? Estimate the duration of how it will take for each of them.
For instance, charging $200 for a well-researched long-form piece might be tough, whereas charging $400 for a sales letter might be reasonable.
What’s Your Offering to the Client?
Even in the beginning, not all freelance writers are the same. You may charge more if you have expertise in compensated composition, a diploma or certificate, knowledge, or talent set your customers need. Starting, you might have to pay less if you have no experience and no clips.
Other Pricing Considerations
Before quoting a job, writing a job proposal, or establishing your fees, there are numerous other things to consider:
1 – Take a look at the kind of client. Nonprofit clients, who do wonderful in the community but have limited funds, are given a lower rate by some authors, for example.
2 – Consider both your and your client’s living costs. It’s acceptable to factor in your client’s experience paying greater costs.
3 – Will you be given a byline? A byline can help the writers charge more by improving your credibility and exposure.
4 – What rights do you have to work? It means you might sell your work later if you keep its rights.
5 – Can you negotiate royalties for commercial writers? Successful copywriters often earn a percentage of the revenues generated by a letter or ad.
FAQs
How do I know if my rates are competitive and fair compared to other freelancers?
Answer: There is no easy answer to this question, as it depends largely on the skills and how experienced the writer is. However, you can use online tools to compare rates and see how your proposed rates compare to those of other freelance writers in your area or niche. Additionally, it can be helpful to contact other freelancers directly and ask for feedback on your rates. Doing this lets, you get a sense of what is generally accepted as fair rates in your field and make any necessary adjustments.
Remember, it is important to be clear with your clients about your rates and what will be included in the price. This will assist you in avoiding any misunderstandings or complaints down the road. Finally, keep up with the industry trends so that you are pricing your services competitively.
What is the average rate for freelance writers?
Answer: Freelance writing can be an amazing way to make some extra money, but it can also be difficult. To begin, it is essential to understand the average rate for freelance writers. Upwork says the average rate for a freelance writer is $50-$75 per hour. This range can vary depending on the experience and skills of the freelancer. Remembering that rates can go up or down depending on the market conditions is crucial. So, always be prepared to negotiate a fair rate for your services.
Start by researching popular freelancing platforms like Upwork and Freelancer to find qualified writers currently offering services at a fair price. Once you have found a few candidates, get in touch and set up a meeting to discuss your project specifications and see if the freelancers are interested in working with you. Make sure to set up payment terms and ensure that all deadlines are met.
Can you give me examples of what other people charge for their services as freelance writers so I can compare them to my rate?
Answer: There are many freelance writing services out there, and each one charges differently. So, it is important to research and find a service that fits your budget and preferences. Some popular freelance writing services include UpWork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
UpWork is a platform that allows professionals from a wide range of backgrounds to post their skills and services for bid. This can include writers, graphic designers, social media experts, and more. Once you have found a service you are interested in, you can submit a proposal for a project. Typically, the services on UpWork are priced hourly, but some services might offer a flat rate or project basis.
Fiverr is similar to UpWork because it allows businesses and professionals to post their services for sale. However, Fiverr is much more popular than UpWork, and there are more opportunities to find freelance work on Fiverr, especially for writing gigs.
Final Words
Freelance writing can be a great way to make some extra money in your spare time, but choosing the right rate structure for the task at hand is important. We’ve outlined various rate structures and explained how to choose the best one for you in 2023. So, whether you’re looking for an hourly rate, a project-based rate, or a fixed price, we’ve got you covered! Please keep checking our website for updated information on freelance writing rates.
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