Content freelancers charge based on their own individual business, experience and needs. No two content freelancers will be priced the same because, underneath an hourly rate that appears equal, they’ll be a multitude of decisions behind it. However, the are several core ways that most content freelancers will organise their pricing.
How content freelancers charge for their work
Pricing models are unique to each business but in general, there are three main ways content freelancers charge for their work.
Hourly Rate
This is usually the most straight forward. You need a blog article writing and the freelancer will charge an hourly rate in line with how much time it takes for them to complete the piece with a pre-set rate. The rate does not necessarily equate to time spent just on the task but will go towards all the other expenses a content freelancer will need covering. This could include utilities, software, additional staff such as proofreaders, as well as anything they need in their business. Currently, the national average rates charged by UK content writers generally range from £20 to £35 per hour.
Word Count
Frequently used on freelancer work sites, or for bulk producing copywriters, a word count rate is used as a way to determine a cost based on quantity. I’ve seen rates as low as 2p per word, which is beneficial for the client in the short term but is the content writer really providing a quality service at such a low rate. Cost per word usually does not normally add up to a living wage so it’s something both businesses and content freelancers should avoid. Applying a ‘cost per word’ doesn’t take into account the time or skill involved, especially when paired with techniques such as SEO. As ProCopywriters states, It sets up content as a commodity rather than a professional service. This is something all professionals should avoid.
Rate per job
Some content freelancers will charge per job. Reviewing the project requirements, a job rate allows the client to know exactly what they will pay for the work involved. The freelancer will be able to determine the work involved, the expenses that will need paying as well as the wage they will need. Rate per jobs works well for one-off projects such as a website, physical collateral like brochures or leaflets or a set amount of posts for a campaign for instance.
Monthly Retainer
Monthly retainer models are a little like a rate per job but are usually created as an ongoing service. Content freelancers will normally charge this if they provide extra value as part of the service not just writing content. They may offer consultancy and reporting. A monthly retainer might also be coupled with other services such as SEO or social media management. This model is beneficial for both freelancer and client as everyone knows what work is to be completed and how much will be paid each month.
What factors affect the price?
As I said at the beginning, no two content freelancers will price exactly the same way. So, here are some of the factors that could change the price of a project or service.
Experience of the freelancer
The more experienced the content writer the more you will expect to pay. As with other professions, the more experience someone has the more likely they are to perform a better job (Though that isn’t always true). An experienced content writer will have practised and honed their craft over many years. They will be able to write appropriately for your brand, niche and topics quickly and efficiently. If they have SEO copywriting experience, their work will likely rank quicker than an inexperience SEO content freelancer.
Type and length of content
Content is a broad topic and it encompasses many different things. Depending on the type of content you could expect to pay more. A blog post in a well-understood industry will be easier to produce. This is because the information needed to construct it is readily available. A whitepaper on the other hand will need a large amount of research completed before anyone puts pen to paper. If the written content needs additional imagery produced then the cost will likely be higher too. The length of content is usually tied up in the type of content. So in general, a longer piece of content will result in a higher price as well.
Competitiveness of the niche
The price may increase if the competitiveness of a niche or industry is high. A content freelancer will need to do additional research for competitive keywords. They may also need to produce a longer piece to cover a competitive topic well. This is especially true if you want to rank that piece of content as part of an SEO strategy.
How do I charge as a Content Freelancer
The majority of my clients are on monthly retainers. This ensures they get the work they need to help their companies grow. I am able to review their site and business and advise on the next steps. Because I provide other marketing services, I usually combine any content writing with clients SEO and social media management. I also use rate per job pricing for one-off content writing such as for websites. If you would like to discuss your content needs, please get in touch. Let’s grow your business together.