How to Determine Your Freelance Writer Rate

As a freelance writer, trying to decide what to charge for your freelance writing services can be one of the hardest things to figure out.

But it’s something you should have some idea of because you may be asked to provide your rates to a prospective client. It can be difficult to determine what to charge, and you don’t want to price yourself out of the market or shortchange yourself.

Here are some tips on how to come up with a rate that works for both you and your client.

What factors affect freelance writer rates?

There are a few factors that can affect how much you charge as a freelance writer. These include:

• The scope of the project
• The level of experience required
• The time frame for completion
• The client’s budget

What is the going rate for freelance writers?

Rates for freelance writers can vary widely. It all depends on the factors mentioned above.

A general rule of thumb is to not charge less than $0.10 per word for basic projects, and up to $1 per word for more complex work.

However, your rates may be higher or lower than this depending on your writing skills, experience, and the nature of the project.

Related: How Much is “Exposure” Worth?

How to negotiate your freelance writing rates

If you’re not sure what to charge for a project, it’s always best to negotiate with the client. Start by asking what their budget for the project is, then discuss the scope of the work and come to an agreement on a rate that works for both of you.

Remember that you can always negotiate down if the client has a lower budget, but it’s harder to negotiate up once you’ve quoted a rate.

You should also ask about payment terms before accepting any job. If they offer a low upfront fee, make sure you get paid in full when the project is complete.

Sample freelance writing rates by experience level

Below are average freelance writing rates for different levels of writing experience. You’ll notice that these rates are based on US dollars, so you may need to adjust them for other currencies.

• Beginner: $0.10-$0.20 per word
• Intermediate: $0.20-$0.30 per word
• Advanced: $0.30-$0.50 per word
• Expert: $0.50+ per word

How to price your writing services

As a general rule, you should charge $0.10-$0.50 per word for your writing services. However, this can vary greatly and you shouldn’t hold back from charging more if you can, especially if you are writing for a particularly lucrative freelance writing niche.

If you’re not sure what to charge, it’s always best to negotiate with the client and see what kind of budget they have to use as a starting point.

Additional ways to make money as a freelance writer

In addition to charging by word or project, there are other ways that you can make money as a freelance writer. These include:

• Charging by the hour
• Getting paid for reprints
• Selling eBooks or other digital products
• Running ads on your website
• Participating in affiliate programs
• Offering coaching or consulting services

No matter what method you choose, make sure that you’re clear about your rates and the terms of your agreement with any potential client. And once agreed upon, get the terms into a contract signed by both parties. This will help to avoid any confusion or miscommunication down the road. 

Payment Terms to Include In Your Freelance Writing Contract

When you’re ready to start working with a client, it’s important to have a contract in place that outlines your rates and payment terms. Here are some things to include in your freelance writing contract:

• The scope of the project
• Your rate per word or per project
• The deadline for the project
• When and how you will be paid (e.g. weekly, biweekly, upon completion, x days after sending an invoice, etc.)
• Any rights that you retain as the author of the work

By including these terms in your contract, you can help to ensure that both you and your client are on the same page from the start. This can help to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes.

You may also want to consider including a clause about late payments and any fees the client might incur for failing to pay your invoice on time.

Related: How to Actually Get Paid on a Past Due Invoice

Why You Should Avoid Content Mills

If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, you may be tempted to sign up for a content mill in order to get some experience and build your portfolio. However, there are a few reasons why you should avoid these sites:

• They often pay extremely low rates (e.g. $0.01 per word or less)
• The work can be repetitive and boring
• There is little to no room for creativity
• Competition for the writing jobs is extremely high

The reality is that content mills are not the best way to start your freelance writing career. If you’re looking for ways to get experience, consider writing some blog posts for your own site to showcase your work.

Remember you don’t have to keep the same project rates for all your clients and you can increase your rates overtime with both current and new clients.

The Bottom Line

When setting your freelance writer rates, there are a few things to keep in mind. Consider the scope of the project, your level of experience, and the client’s budget.

It’s also important to be open to negotiation so that you can come to an agreement that works for both parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about freelance writer rates? We’ve answered the most common questions below.

How much should I charge for a 500 word article?

As a general rule, you should charge $0.10-$0.50 per word for your writing services. However, this can vary depending on the project and the client’s needs. A good starting point would be a flat rate of $100 for a 500-word blog post.

How do freelance writers set rates?

There is no one “right” way to set rates as a freelance writer. It all depends what the project requires of you, how experienced a writer you are and what your client can afford to pay.

As a general rule, you should charge no less than $0.10 per word for your writing services and that is only when you are starting out. More experienced writers should charge no less than $0.20/word.

How do I negotiate rates with a potential client?

When you’re negotiating rates with a potential client, it’s important to be open and honest about your rates and what you’re willing to accept. It’s also important to consider the scope of the project and the client’s budget and the possibility that the project will lead to more work later on.

If you’re able to come to an agreement that works for both parties, that’s great! If not, you may need to move on to another client.

How much should a beginner Content Writer charge per word?

If you are a native or fluent speaker of the language the work is in, you should never charge less than $0.10/word even as a beginner.

What is a good hourly rate for a content writer?

This can vary greatly due to a number of factors. But working on an hourly rate is usually not a good idea as it penalizes you for writing quickly and efficiently. If you’re trying to determine how much you typically earn per hour, you simply need to see how long it takes you to write each article and divide the amount you earned by that time frame.

How much should I charge for a blog post?

On average for a freelance writer without a ton of experience, you can charge around $200 for a 1,000-word article.

How much should I charge for a website?

It depends on what is meant by “website” just writing the copy for an entire website, not including blog posts or design can earn you hundreds if not a few thousand dollars. This is why copywriting is a very specialized skill.

Freelance Writer Rates Per word

As a freelance writer, you may be wondering how much you should charge per word. While there is no set standard, there are some general guidelines you can follow to help you determine your own rates.

Generally speaking, most writers charge between $0.10 and $0.50 per word. However, there are a few factors that can influence your rate, such as the type of writing you do, your experience level, and the market you’re targeting.

If you’re just starting out, it’s likely that you’ll want to charge on the lower end of the spectrum. As you gain more experience and build a strong portfolio, you can begin to raise your rates.

It’s also important to keep in mind that different markets will be willing to pay different rates. For example, writers who focus on the business market may be able to command higher rates than those who write for consumer publications.