Experienced Copywriters and Content developers

1. 70

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   What general rates do most of you demand ?
   
   I freelanced also and usually didnt accept much under 20USD per original 500-750 word article, but bidding and communicating with the clients ended up being too time intensive for me to continue as being worthwhile for me.
   
   I am part of a specialized web design/hosting business and client base is getting to large for me to wear all the hats anymore.
   
   My partner wants to bring in a friend who is a Copywriter and is asking 20/page. I dislike this model (What is a page?)
   
   I like writers, I dont want to not pay well, but I feel I can get much better writers for a better rate. Im guilty of undercharging to my clients since I know there budgets, but Im spread to thin
   
   So people who are experienced with writing About/Services/etc. you know, standard Business pages (we work with start-ups in the holistic health market) what type of rates are you used to being offered or seeing in the boards.
   
   Im very familiar with the boards but Im usually a buyer, and I stick to very low priced writers and just rewrite the content for my niche sites.
   
   How much are the writers that I wouldnt have to edit worth?

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   1. 0

      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I charge $40.00 an hour, minimum. Sometimes I can get $75.00 an hour, depending on who the client is.
      
      Some clients want to pay per project, depending on what it is they need. To custom-write a page, the rate is $25.00 (which is cheap). To edit a paper (10 pages) the fee is $50.00. This includes revisions, Word mark-ups and formatting, if needed. To custom-write a 500-word article (web content - non keyword), the fee would be $50.00, which works out to $25.00 an hour, which is at the entry-to-mid level for professional writers. Everything you get is flawless because it is fully edited and 'tested' before it ever gets back to you.
      
      I never charge per word, and if anyone wants to go that route, I don't take the project.

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2. 61

   ediggityposted 14 years ago

   If you're looking for a low budget writer, I'll write at a rate of $1 for every 100 words for the first 500.  Additionally, no extra charge if I happen to go over 500 words without a specific request.

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   1. 70

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I wasnt specifically trying to hire via this thread, Im more interested in what experience others have had being hired as a writer and how they feel about the rate that was offered to me.
      
      This isnt content writing that involves research, its not SEO writing ( I can optimize if need be) its just simple bios, historys and service explanations for small businesses in the health/natural fields - the content is mostly written by the business owners when they expalin what they want, we just rewrite to a higher standard, add calls to action if necessary etc.
      
      But I am saving your info, ediggity

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      1. 61

         ediggityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Cool, just let me know when you need a hand.  I can do whatever. I am also familiar with natural supplements if that is the natural you were referring to.

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3. 68

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   From the other side of the keyboard your question has really not been asked J.
   
   I certainly know what I would talking about for site writers!
   So what specifically are you asking here?
   
   Missed your email btw.

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   1. 70

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ill jump on the reply, pearldiver, its mostly drafted already.
      
      As maybe you see from the thread I am spread a little thin right now.
      
      What question hasnt been asked, is my rambling unclear?  I havent slept yet today (its 1230pm here) so I may be getting incoherant.
      
      Im not talking about writers like us at hubpages (although Im sure many wear both hats) I dont need somone who can write about anything, or knows seo writing...just someone who can translate the garble dthoughts of a  business owner into a competent couple of paragraphs. For example I know PRGrundy and Sufidreamer do alot of freelance writing, so I was hoping for some feedback into that world.
      
      I do all my freelance via alerts, i just get emails that fit my fields and min pay level, I dont scrounge through hundreds of pages o f listings, so I am a little out o fthe loop as to what industry averages are for competent writers

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4. 68

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Sure... Who would want to bid?
   
   I think with your time variants you may have missed Pam & Sufi.
   
   You wanna bleet about no sleep? MG it's 5.40am here & I'm sill going from 3.00pm yesterday

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   1. 70

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      LOL, than we are in the same boat, 1230 pm from 2 pm yesterday.
      
      so Im on, 22 hours, no sleep yet.
      
      Im not looking for bids, Im looking for info to bring to my partner, so I can say, 20/page is a ridiculous price, look at these excellent writers who charge X/rate.
      
      I dont think I could afford Sufi or Pam, just examples of Hubbers who know the systems over there and average rates in general. I will probably end up with someone more local who I can at least afford to call if need be!
      
      hell, i charge 20/page minimum too, but I cherry pick what I want to write about and page has a definite description, this writer that has brought the issue to my attention wants 20/page (no description of what pages means)
      
      I feel like this type of job is much easier(the one I need to fill) and would be happy with 20-25/hr, with expectations on output or 1-2 per 100 words, but I may be way off base as to what industry standards are.
      
      So new question, What are industry standards for easy non-optimized content? How are you qualified to know what that standard is?
      
      Come to think of it, I should probably ask Julie-Ann Amos

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5. 62

   Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

   Don't know for sure if this info is relevant to your inquiry, but in case it is:
   About 400 words per average sized book page. Depends on font, font size, etc. Many businesses have a standard number of words per page based on internet publishing, calculated using a nonserif font such as Arial, at about 10 points.
   
   You can get a better idea here:
   http://www.writersservices.com/wps/p_word_count.htm

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6. 80

   Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

   Hi Sunforged,
   
   Only just saw this - I have been working all day.
   
   Generally speaking, for non-academic, minimal research work, I look for about 3 - 5 cents per word, depending upon the size of the batch. With this, you have to bear in mind that I have a lower cost of living, no rent or mortgage, and very cheap health insurance. Mind you, the weak dollar is not helping non-US writers.
   
   So, to answer your original point, I would say that 20 - 25 dollars for 500 words is reasonable if you are employing a US writer - it is about the going rate, although you have the right to expect excellent quality for that price.
   
   If they are cheaper, you have to ask yourself 'why?' A 500 word article takes up to 2 hours to write, if done properly, so $12.50 per hour is fair, especially as they have to pay their own health insurance.
   
   A writer is surely worth more than a burger flipper (no disrespect meant to our hard-working fast food employees).
   
   Hope that helps!
   
   EDIT: Of course, you could also look at our Filipino friends - there are some excellent writers from that country and they are another good option. Maybe Emie can help you with that

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7. 60

   readytoescapeposted 14 years ago

   I write per bid depending on the size of the project or by the hour(including research time)and nowhere close to the $12.50 per hour number quoted further up.(better multiply 5 or 6 times)
   
   Pennies per word is a waste of time and method to buy writers cheap.....quality writers will laugh at it and pass right by.

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   1. 80

      Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good for you!
      
      I should have clarified that statement - I was going by the average prices on oDesk - $12 to $16 dollars is about the median p/h for a good, non-specialist writer on there.
      
      That is the joy of an international marketplace - non-US writers are generally much cheaper (myself included). I would hope (although it is not up to me to decide) that I do not offer poor quality
      
      If you are talking specialists - Most of my work is academic or technical - For that, I do charge considerably more

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