One of the most common challenges for freelance writers is figuring out how to price their services. Charge too little, and you risk burnout and resentment. Charge too much (without the right positioning), and you might struggle to land clients.
The goal is to find pricing that reflects your skills, delivers value to clients, and supports a sustainable, profitable business.
In this article, you’ll learn how to price your freelance writing services fairly and confidently — even if you’re just starting out.
Why Pricing Matters
Your rates are more than just numbers. They shape:
- How clients perceive your value.
- What types of projects and clients you attract.
- Your overall income and workload.
- Your sense of satisfaction and sustainability.
Fair pricing ensures that you’re compensated for your time, expertise, and the results you deliver — while also respecting the client’s needs and budget.
Step 1: Understand Common Pricing Models
Freelance writing services are typically priced in one of these ways:
- Per word → Common for articles, blog posts, or content marketing.
- Per hour → Often used for editing, consulting, or long-term projects.
- Per project → Best for defined deliverables like white papers, website copy, or case studies.
- Monthly retainer → A set fee for ongoing work (e.g., X blog posts or X hours per month).
Each model has pros and cons. Per-word rates are easy to calculate but can reward speed over quality. Hourly rates are straightforward but can cap your earning potential. Project or retainer rates focus on value and deliverables, which often leads to higher income.
Step 2: Research Market Rates
Before setting your rates, research:
- Industry standards (e.g., Editorial Freelancers Association, ClearVoice, or Peak Freelance rate guides).
- What writers in your niche or experience level are charging.
- What your ideal clients are likely to budget for.
Rates can vary widely depending on:
- Niche (technical or B2B writing often pays more than general lifestyle content).
- Experience and expertise.
- Project complexity.
- Client size (corporate clients typically pay more than startups or individuals).
Gather a range of data to inform your pricing decisions.
Step 3: Calculate Your Minimum Acceptable Rate
It’s essential to know the lowest rate you can accept to cover your expenses and hit your income goals.
To calculate:
- Add up your monthly expenses (business + personal).
- Determine how many billable hours or projects you can realistically complete each month.
- Divide your total needed income by your available work hours or projects.
Example:
- Monthly income goal: $4,000.
- Billable hours per month: 80.
- Minimum hourly rate: $50/hour.
This is your baseline — you can and should aim higher as you gain experience.
Step 4: Price Based on Value, Not Just Time
Clients don’t just pay for your time — they pay for:
- The results your writing achieves (traffic, leads, conversions).
- Your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
- The convenience of working with a reliable, professional writer.
For high-impact projects (like website copy, sales pages, or case studies), project pricing based on value often makes more sense than hourly or per-word rates.
Example:
A 1,500-word sales page might only take you 5 hours to write, but if it helps the client generate thousands of dollars in sales, it’s worth much more than just 5 hours x your hourly rate.
Step 5: Factor in Revisions, Research, and Admin Time
When setting project or per-word rates, don’t forget to account for:
- Research and interviews.
- Drafting and revisions.
- Client communication.
- Invoicing and admin work.
A $300 blog post isn’t just about the writing time — it includes everything required to deliver a polished final product.
Step 6: Start With Confidence (and Adjust as You Grow)
Many freelancers underprice themselves early on due to fear or inexperience. While it’s okay to start conservatively, aim to:
- Increase rates regularly as you gain experience and skills.
- Charge new clients higher rates than older clients (you can gradually raise legacy client rates later).
- Avoid underpricing just to “get the job” — low rates attract difficult clients and unsustainable workloads.
Remember, you can always negotiate down, but it’s hard to raise rates mid-project.
Step 7: Present Your Rates Professionally
When discussing pricing with clients:
- Provide clear quotes or proposals.
- Outline exactly what’s included (and what’s not).
- Frame your pricing in terms of the value you deliver, not just the cost.
- Stay confident — if you don’t believe in your rates, neither will the client.
Example:
“For this project, I recommend a package of four blog posts per month at $X each, which includes research, SEO optimization, and two rounds of revisions.”
Step 8: Review and Adjust Regularly
Your rates shouldn’t stay static forever.
Review every 6–12 months:
- Are you hitting your income goals?
- Have your skills, portfolio, or results improved?
- Is demand for your services increasing?
If so, it’s time to raise your rates. A small annual increase (e.g., 10–20%) is often reasonable and expected.
Final Words: Fair Pricing Builds a Sustainable Business
Setting fair, confident freelance writing rates is key to building a business that supports your income goals, values your expertise, and attracts the right clients.
Remember: pricing is not just about numbers — it’s about positioning, communication, and self-worth. Keep learning, stay flexible, and trust that as your skills grow, your rates can (and should) grow too.