Other freelancers...help me with pricing a job??? HELP!

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   TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

   Hi guys,
   
   As many of you know I'm a freelance writer/editor (struggling to make ends meet). Well now I have a client offering me a BIG job (the biggest I've ever been offered); at least one 1600 word article for each of nearly 100 countries.
   
   In the past, I've written press releases for this company at $50.00 per 800 words, but now they're asking for a bulk rate on this project (which I have no problem with, it's huge, and they should get a discount, IMO). The problem is, I've never been faced with such a huge pricing project (what a happy problem, eh?). It will take up three-four hours for each article (since each one will have to have country specific research, SEO optimization, and editing/polishing).
   
   Given the cost in the past...can anyone recommend ways to go about coming up with a bulk rate on this project? Any suggestions,prior experiences...anything relevant would be much appreciated!
   
   Thank you, Hubbers!!

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      cally2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Spider,
      I've been doing a bit of rough calculation in my head and at your previous rate you would charge about $10000 for 400 hours of work. (taking a 40 hour week that's $1000  a week) What do you need to live on? Is this going to be your only income for the time it takes to complete or are you going to continue with your other struggles? Add up what you need in terms of time and expenses, cover those and make yourself some money. Don't underprice yourself too much as you will start to resent the work and not do your best. But try to give the fairest price you can live with.
      Congrats. You look like for the time being at least the writing is paying off

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2. 80

   Sufidreamerposted 13 years ago

   Congratulations - it is always nice to receive such a good contract.
   
   This is only an opinion, but here goes: At your normal rate, your price would be $100 per article. Personally, I would give a 25% discount - it seems like you have a lot of work for each article but, after you do the first few, it becomes easier.
   
   Firstly, even though it is for different countries, you will soon learn where to find good research and you will find some good keywords. The SEO and research should become a little easier, after the first few.
   
   Secondly, assuming that the articles are going to be similar, you will develop a good 'template' that you can use for the layout, and certain 'stock phrases' that you can adapt and reuse, making the writing process a little quicker.
   
   Thirdly, working in batches is quicker - write ten, edit ten - you get into the right frame of mind and can start to bang them out.
   
   They should bite your hand off for 25% - you could even start haggling at 15%, but that is entirely case-dependent - some clients don't mind haggling, others take offence - you will have to play that one by ear, according to your present relationship with the client.
   
   Hope that helps - best of luck with it

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      TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Sufi! I really appreciate it. It's very difficult for me to determine what is fair...I've been writing a long time, but I am new to this freelance thing and pricing jobs is always intimidating to me.
      
      Plus the thought of $75.00 per article just sort of knocks me down. Other people have told me they'd pay even more...but writing just comes so easy to me that it's like...WHAT?! Are you serious?
      
      This has been a big help!!

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         Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         That is a good price - most freelancers don't get anywhere near that level, so you are off to a great start.
         
         If you don't want the job, I am sure that I could fit it in...

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            TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I think it's an amazing price!! I'm sort of knocked down in an "I can't believe someone is willing to pay so much" sort of way...LOL

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   readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

   Your original billing rate was @ .6 cents per word, or extrapolating time roughly 2 hours per 800 word article @ $50.00 is $25.00 per hour.
   
   If you leave your article price at $50.00 per 800 words the contract for 100 Articles @ 1600 words each would be $10,000.00
   
   Presenting it at the same per word rate for 160K would be a reduced contract value of $9,600.00 which is a discount of $400.00 or $24.00 per hour @ 400 hours and is discount of $1.00 per hour.
   
   Discounting to 5 cents per word would give you a contract value of $8000.00 for 160K words or 100, 1600 word articles @ 4 hours per article is 20.00 per hour
   
   Discounting to 4 cents per word would give you a contract value of $6400.00 for 160K words or 100, 1600 word articles @ 4 hours per article is 16.00 per hour.
   
   Define for your client your current quotes per hour and then outline the savings by calculating the discount per word. There is plenty of negotiating room between 6 cents and 5 cents per word. Every ½ cent per word is approximately $800.00.

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4. 65

   TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

   Thank you so much, guys, for all the congratulations and suggestions...The client has offered $30.00 per article...From what I'm seeing from you guys, that might be a bit low....
   *frets* This process makes me so nervous...don't want to lose the offer.

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      Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      With readytoescape and Cally on that one - you will be tied into a long project, at a low rate and will come to hate it and see it as a millstone. It will also stop you taking on better paid work, if any turns up.
      
      'Tis all a balancing act - stick or twist!
      
      EDIT: readytoescape's post , that I just saw, is bang on - make them aware of why it is time consuming. Ultimately, you are a busy fellow professional, not an employee

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   readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

   Thats only 2 cents per word or $7.50 per hour, counter or pass

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      TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I like your style. Makes me feel all confident and business-like.
      
      Thank you.

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   Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

   Hmmmm I don't have any idea as I am bad with math and money and all but I did want to Congratulate you for your big job!

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      TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks crazd! I'm so excited I could just....explode! LOL

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   readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

   Its just a bid, I know you want the job and so does your client, that’s probably why they low-balled their offer. Counter with the facts of doing the work as I outlined above then negotiate from there. Like I said there is a lot of room between 5 and 6 cents per word, about $2400.00 dollars worth of room. So counter with a real bid.
   
   
   You may note the amount of negotiating room is almost the size of their first offer, and in that you and your client are miles apart until they understand the parameters of researching and writing the articles as well as the time and other associated costs involved.

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   TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

   I have countered! I am now awaiting their response.

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   readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

   Good Luck, welcome to the war games!

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      TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, I appreciate your help very much!

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10. 65

    TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

    THEY TOOK MY COUNTER OFFER!!!! WOOT! *dances for joy*
    
    Thank you ALL SO MUCH for the help!
    
    I'm so excited I could just cry. As a matter of fact, I'm actually tearing up.

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       Crazdwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       All right GS that is great news!

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    cosetteposted 13 years ago

    well i always charge per hour instead of per paper, only because i prefer that because stuff happens re: content and changes and revisions and a $50 paper would actually be worth twice that (or more) because of the time spent doing it. but it looks like you got it all figured out. congratulations! that is wonderful

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    TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

    It is! IT IS. Oh wow! I wonder if you guys even know how big. Oh man!! I am thrilled!
    
    I was down to being able to pay the bills this week, and then that's it...no more money...LOL. I'm shaking I'm so happy!

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    cosetteposted 13 years ago

    you made ME all happy reading this!

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       Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Me too!
       

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       {{{HUGS COSETTE}}} I'm so glad to have had the chance to share joy!
       
       Thank you for sharing!

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    Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

    Congrats Glass Spider that's fantastic!

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you!!! {{{HUGS}}}

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    Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

    We'll party when I get back chica...I have to get to my appointment!

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       {{{{HUGS CRAZD}}}} My thoughts are with you...sending all this positive energy your way. No matter what, it will be Okay! We're all with you.

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    readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

    Congratulations, I hope you win the war because the battle has just begun. Now you have to produce.... Well Done.
    
    Now get off the forums and start researching....lol

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hehe....Thanks so much, ready. I did just that! Now we've got the project scheduled out along with a payment structure (and they're very happy with what I feel is a very relaxed schedule with regularly scheduled payments). I've lined up places I'll be finding my research, completed research for the first two articles...and I'm a happy camper!
       
       I'm in for the long haul. Gotta show the skills to pay the bills, you know.
       
       I really appreciate you taking the time to write back. Thank you again.

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    Rafiniposted 13 years ago

    Terrific news GlassSpider!

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, Rafini! I just can't believe it. Two years ago I had no idea how to be a freelancer and no job! I am grateful and thrilled and overwhelmed with joy.
       
       Thanks for stopping in!

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18. 66

    Faybe Bayposted 13 years ago

    Congratulations Glass Spider! This is fabulous news!

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Faybe! It really is very exciting AND a cool project to boot! I'm hoping to have some fun with the research!
       
       
       @kmmacdonner: I know what you mean...I've been guilty of selling myself short as well...but asking helpful Hubbers always has a way of keeping me grounded and feeling worthwhile! I always ask if I know I'm dealing with one of my weaknesses! Thank you for the well wishes!

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    kmmacdonnerposted 13 years ago

    I have been freelancing for 2 years and I still hate the money talk. I usually end up caving and selling myself short lol. Good for you for getting sound advice and sticking to your guns - way to go and all the best!! XX

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    Sufidreamerposted 13 years ago

    Great work, GlassSpider - congratulations!

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    cally2posted 13 years ago

    fantastic Glass Spider. Go hard

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22. 65

    TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

    Thanks guys! I appreciate your help AND coming back to see how it went. You guys gave me a great big confidence boost, and it paid off!!
    
    
    @cally: I go hard or not at all.

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    Jasnavposted 13 years ago

    Great job Glass Spider!
    
    It feels great to see a fellow hubber and freelancer get a wonderful deal. Only thing I missed is - how much per gig did you get in the end???
    
    Been freelancing myself for about three years now, so I know your feeling exactly at landing such a project. Heartiest congratulations!!!

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    freelancewritervaposted 13 years ago

    Great Question.  The answers are outstanding.  I learned a lot

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    GusTheRedneckposted 13 years ago

    Howdy Glass Spider - Strictly from a business point of view you did right to stick to your plan. A good writer should be paid his fee. You set the fee with respect to what you believe your work is worth.  If you think that you have world-beating quality writing, then you also believe (actually know) that you should be paid a world-beating price for it. A typical "decent" amount to charge for really good writing (includes research, good editing, and good wordsmithing, etc.) is 5 or 6 cents a word.  If you are the "expert" on the subject, then the charge is more than that.  By that thought, if you got $8,000 for those articles altogether, then you did OK. If you got more than that, you did really well.If you are one of the 3 people in the universe who know the subject about which you are to write, then you took a whipping.  You seem to be happy, and so everyone is happy both for you and with you.
    Gus ))

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    Journey *posted 13 years ago

    Hi TheGlassSpider,
    Congratulations on this job offer. I think Cally has given you good advice. I agree with him. Good luck to you!

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