How long is a piece of cord?
Seriously, there is no universal rate sheet for copywriting because, like most professions, you gain a wide range of experience and knowledge. Some ‘copywriters’ (that is, those who call themselves copywriters but have no business writing experience) charge a few pounds; others (those who are experienced and know what they are doing) charge hundreds or thousands of pounds.
So how can you be sure you’ve found a good one and not one that is going to leave you with substandard nonsense written?
How to find a great freelance writer
1. Ask – Ask your colleagues and other trusted entrepreneurs who they use. That way, you get an insider’s view of what the writer is like.
2. Google – Of course, a Google search will only show those who are pretty good at SEO (but that’s what you need, right?), But it will give you a selection of great writers along with their portfolios.
3. Call them – The best way to find out if you’ve found the right writer is to talk to them. Give them a call and ring them. If you click, it is most likely the writer for you.
4. Network of professional writers – Visit the PCN website. Of course, there is no guarantee that the writers are fantastic, but the fact that they have taken a chance and are listed on the site suggests that they are not that bad.
Why are there no prices on freelance writing websites?
As I said before, there is no universal rate sheet for freelance copywriting.
Each writer will approach loading differently, so here are a few things to keep in mind:
· By the word – If they charge for the word, run a mile and don’t look back. In the first place, they will not know how many words they will need. Second, they could write incoherent nonsense and charge the earth for it. Third, if you restrict them to a certain number of words, you will get garbage writing.
· Per day / hour – For a single project, this is not a good idea. Unless you specify a number of days / hours, you could be opening up to a bulk invoice. However, if you are looking for ongoing help (that is, a writer with a down payment), this is perfect. You can hire them to work for you a certain number of days a month and use them as an extension of your marketing team.
· Fixed fee – This is the best option for specific projects. The price will include all research, content, and a certain number of reviews. Most writers will ask for 50% upfront and the rest will be billed once the copy has been signed.
How can I be sure I have found a good freelance writer?
You have to go with your instinct in this case.
If you did your homework, reviewed them, chatted with them, and asked them lots of questions about their previous work and are happy with their answers, you should be in good hands.
Ask to see past work (although remember that those projects were written with a specific abstract, so they won’t necessarily be what you’re looking for, but they will show the breadth of the writer’s ability). Look who they have worked with in the past. Read their testimonials; all of them will give you an idea of how good the writer is.
Isn’t it easier to let the marketing agency write the content for me?
That’s always an option (and often a cheaper one), but it’s worth keeping in mind that the agency writer will not be a copywriting specialist. They will be quite young.
How do I know that?
An agency is not going to pay the going rate for an experienced and highly qualified copywriter. Your in-house copywriter will likely do other things as well, write in your home style (that is, not in a way that reflects your business), and therefore generate generic content.
You want something that reflects the personality of your brand.
I want you to write to me
Excellent! Get in touch and let’s chat about what you’re looking for. If I don’t think this is the right fit for you, I will put you in touch with other writers who I think will be able to offer you what you are looking for.
As a side note, years ago a highly respected copywriter advised me not to promote myself as a freelance copywriter because, in his eyes, the word “freelance” devalued what I do.
I’ve always had a problem with that.
First of all, I am a copywriter. With more than a decade of experience, I have worked with some of the most important brands in the world (and that is working directly with them and not through an agency) and some of the most diverse SMEs you will come across.
Second, freelance is the way I choose to work. I don’t want my wings to be clipped and I only work for a company. Having the freedom to work for a variety of industries enriched my work.
I am proud to be known as a freelance copywriter and will continue to use that term.
It shows that I am independent, worldly (able to write) and a mine of ideas that will add a new dimension to every project I work on.
Going back to the original question ‘how much do freelance writers charge?’ I urge you not to view it as a cost but as an investment.
The content you pay for will be available for a long time. It should be written carefully to make sure it resonates with the audience you are trying to reach.
If you pay for peanuts, you get shit. If you pay well, you will get content that is tailored to your specific needs (and those of your audience), and that will work time and time again.