Your freelance writing fees: the prices you charge

It’s been a week for queries about freelance writing fees.

Here’s a BIG tip: the fees you charge are up to you, no one else.

Whether you’re a new writer, or are an experienced pro, you set your own fees. It really doesn’t matter what others are charging. Truly.

However, you do need to keep in mind that clients vary, in the fees they can pay for your writing services. You can’t expect a tiny literary magazine to pay you $2 a word. But a glossy magazine with full page display ads for products like designer wear, up-market cars and such items should pay you well.

Your fees must make sense to you – don’t bid low just to get jobs

How much do you need to earn? if you want to go full time, you must know. You need to remember too, that you pay your own expenses, such as health care, when you’re solo.

Low-bids are rampant on the out-sourcing sites. If you’re a hobbyist writer, and just want to make extra spending money, bid as low as you like.

If you want to go full time however bid sensibly: that is, at your usual rates. You’ll win fewer projects, but those you do win, hold potential to become long term clients. You don’t want clients who can’t afford your rates.

I’ve discussed how to bid on the out-sourcing sites many times in Fab Freelance Writing Ezine, and I’ve no doubt I’ll discuss it there again.

On my Writing Hacker site, in the article “Writing business: set your fees, get paid”, I wrote about developing your negotiation skills:

Learn to negotiate

Most creatives are not born good negotiators. You can however, become an expert negotiator. Here’s how:

* know your base price: your rock-bottom limit. When you know your base price, you can walk away;

* set your preferred price a third higher than your base price;

* offer a sweetener rather than reducing your price;

* be patient when negotiating;

* in complex deals (like books) get someone (an agent) to negotiate for you.

Negotiation skill comes with experience, when you know your own worth.

If you’re not sure about setting your fees, contact me for a consultation, and we’ll work out a schedule of fees for you which matches your skills and experience. BTW, I’ve never yet met a freelance writer who was over-changing, most freelancers charge too little.

Copywriting is a great home business

Developing a copywriting services business makes sense if you want to write from home.

How does $250 an hour sound to you? Copywriters are in high demand.

There’s no limitations on who can write copy. Neither age nor education is a bar: your clients don’t care.

So whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a retiree, or just want to moonlight at your current job, copywriting is the most lucrative (and the most fun, if you love to write) occupation you can try.

My Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success, new 2007 edition gets you started.

Create the perfect write from home business – it’s easy.

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