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In freelance writing, there’s a lot of talk about how much to charge, but not nearly enough on how to charge. It sounds kind of crazy but the type of rate you use can actually increase your income. In particular, you can earn a lot more by using project rates instead of per word or per hour rates. For the uninitiated, a project rate means one flat fee for an entire project. Let’s say you’re writing five pages of website content.
It was November of 2009, and just 3 months after I’d lost my corporate job and my apartment. I had spent six years as a technical writer but, as a former English major, I didn’t feel like I was “legit.” So, while I was cooped up in an upstairs bedroom at my parents’ house with my two cats, I created a dinky website for myself that would eventually become my business. I wasn’t sure how to make a go of it, though.
Freelance writing is an industry rife with people who believe they must accept gigs that pay below-market rates in order to remain competitive. All writers have to take their experience into consideration when setting their rates, but undercharging does not pave the road to success. When I started, like most others, I used bidding websites, or charged below-market rates. I also reached out to friends, and offered them low rates in order to gain experience.
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
