How to Figure Out Your Rates as a New Freelance Writer (2024)

How to Figure Out Your Rates as a New Freelance Writer (2)

Today I am tackling freelance writing rates, and I am not going to lie.

Freelance rates are all over the place and can be super touchy for some. My goal is to help all writers, especially the new ones figure out their rate.

When I first started, I quoted $.04/word! Can you believe that?

How to Figure Out Your Rates as a New Freelance Writer (2024)

FAQs

How to Figure Out Your Rates as a New Freelance Writer? ›

The average freelance writer makes about $29 per hour, and the average freelance writing rate per word ranges from $0.05-$0.10 for beginner writers, $0.30-$0.50 for intermediate writers, and $1-$1.50 for experienced writers.

How much should I charge as a beginner freelance writer? ›

The average freelance writer makes about $29 per hour, and the average freelance writing rate per word ranges from $0.05-$0.10 for beginner writers, $0.30-$0.50 for intermediate writers, and $1-$1.50 for experienced writers.

How do I calculate my freelance rate? ›

Determine Your Baseline Freelance Rate

Start by dividing your desired annual salary by 52 (for a start). That gives you the dollar amount you need to earn per week. Then, take that amount and divide it by 40. That gives you the hourly rate you need to charge clients.

How do I price myself as a freelancer? ›

How to price yourself as a freelancer
  1. Research freelance rates. Research common freelance rates in your area. ...
  2. Consider your expenses. ...
  3. Factor in taxes. ...
  4. Review the project scope. ...
  5. Assess the client. ...
  6. Consider the value you provide. ...
  7. Choose a method. ...
  8. Determine your availability for work.
Feb 3, 2023

How much should I charge for a 500 word article? ›

Charging per article

Your pricing quotes will depend on your experience and the complexity of the work. For a 500-word article, beginner writers might charge between $3 to $25, while more experienced writers might charge between $30 to $150, and expert writers might charge up to $1,000 or more.

What is the hourly rate for a beginner writer? ›

Here's a breakdown to help you gauge your per-hour rate based on your experience level: Entry Level — $15 to $30 per hour. Intermediate — $35 to $60 per hour. Experienced — $65 to $100 per hour.

How much should a beginner writer write? ›

Build Your Writing Muscles

Right now, a realistic goal for you could be writing 500 words each day. In six months time, those 500 words might have become 1,000. In a few years, you could be producing 2,000 words that you're happy with, every single day.

What is a good beginner rate for freelancers? ›

Hourly rates by education
Education LevelAverage hourly rate
High School$19
Bachelor's degree$18
Master's degree$21
Doctorate$21

How do I decide my hourly rate? ›

You can get a general idea of your hourly rate by averaging the number of weekly hours you work over a certain period of time, like a month or two. Divide weekly pay by hours worked. Divide your weekly salary by the number of hours you work per week—or the average hours worked per week.

How do I tell someone my freelance rate? ›

TEMPLATE FOR QUOTING YOUR RATE:

In regards to your [type of assignment] project with a deadline of [due date], my fee would be [$Fee]. Of course, I'm open to a conversation about this. So, if you have any questions or anything else you want me to be sure to be consider, I'm all ears.

How do I quote my freelancer price? ›

Here are things to consider including in the quotation:
  1. An overall price to complete the entire job.
  2. A breakdown of prices, particularly if there are milestones.
  3. A schedule of work.
  4. A payment schedule for your freelance invoices.
  5. Any other payment terms such as recurring payments, retainer agreements or late fees.
Dec 12, 2022

What to charge for hourly rate? ›

Desired profit amount + desired salary + operating costs / number of income producing hours = your hourly rate. For example: Desired profit of $16,500 + desired personal pre-tax salary of $83,500 + operating costs of $30,000/1040 income generating hours = $125 per hour.

How do I bid on freelancer for beginners? ›

Just below the project details, you can place your bid. (1) Enter your bid amount, (2) enter the number of days for delivery, (3) describe your proposal, (4) list milestones or tasks and set a Milestone Payment® for each task, (5) choose an optional upgrade if you wish, and click Place Bid.

How much does a beginner freelance writer make? ›

We recommend beginner freelance writers charge no less than $0.05 to $0.20 per word. If you consider the example of a 1,000-word blog post, this means you'll range from $50 to $200 per post. In reality, many beginning writers make $0.01 to $0.04 per word, which is an unreasonably low fee.

What is a good hourly rate for a freelance writer? ›

What Is the Average Freelance Writer Salary by State
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$65,500$31
75th Percentile$54,500$26
Average$48,412$23
25th Percentile$42,500$20

Do freelance writers charge per word? ›

This FAQ doesn't have a simple answer. Most intermediate to advanced freelance writers charge between $0.10 and $1 per word, depending on the amount of work they will have to put into the project. But, the way they bill that average range will vary.

How much should a beginner charge for content writing? ›

The answer depends on several factors like quantity, quality, and volume of the content. It can also vary from agency to agency. For example, an entry-level freelancer can charge between ₹0.30 to ₹0.50 per word for a blog, whereas an entry-level writing agency can charge between ₹1 to ₹3 per word for the same.

How much should a beginner freelance artist charge? ›

Hourly graphic design rates vary based on experience and design specialty. Typically, more experienced graphic designers will charge between $65 to $150 per hour. In contrast, more entry-level freelance design rates range from $25 to $50 per hour.

How much can a beginner writer make? ›

Average Salary for Writers. Most writers are self-employed, and their experience directly impacts their salary. An entry-level writer with less than one year of experience can earn an average compensation of $50,215. As they gain more experience (1-4 years) are expected to earn an average of $52,945.

How much should a beginner copywriter charge? ›

5. Landing Page Copy
Landing Page Copywriter levelCopywriting rates (500 words)
Beginner$100 – $200
Proficient$200 – $400
Expert$400 – $700+

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