Freelance Copywriting Fees

If you are a freelance copywriter, one of the toughest tasks is to figure out how much to charge for a job.

Whatever figure you put on your estimate, it can have quite an impact, in a number of ways.

If you estimate too high, you may lose the job.

If you estimate too low, you may not be taken seriously, and still not get the job.

How to set your copywriting fees

There are a number of factors to consider.

First, you have to know your market. You need to know what clients are used to paying, and what other copywriters are charging.

If your estimate is way out of the norm, you are unlikely to get the job.

Second, you need to know what kind of fee is appropriate to your level of experience and expertise.

It may be the same job, but your estimate should change according to whether you are new to copywriting, or a seasoned pro with a ton of experience.

Third, you may want to adjust your fees slightly according to whether the client is new, or it’s repeat business from an existing client. Many, but not all, copywriters will charge a little less for repeat business.

Fourth, you need to understand the impact of the fees you set on your “brand” as a copywriter.

If you are positioning yourself as an expert in a particular niche, be careful about setting your copywriting fees too low. It could give the wrong impression and damage your standing in that market.

Concluding thoughts...

Setting your copywriting fees just right is a tough skill, and takes some experience.

However, you will do a much better job if you KNOW what other copywriters are charging for particular kinds of jobs.

For that reason alone, I recommend you get yourself a copy of Chris Marlow’s 2007 Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey.

Her survey delivers a huge amount of information on how much copywriters earn and charge, and how much they estimate for a huge variety of different copywriting jobs, both online and offline.

If you are serious about setting the right fees in your estimates, I strongly recommend you get a copy of this report.

Find out more about Chris Marlow's 2007 Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey