How do freelance writers know what to charge for different projects and services? Nailing down reasonable rates can be tricky for beginners and experts alike, especially since there's often little to no transparency when it comes to pricing amongst freelance writers.

So let's talk about numbers. We'll share what we typically charge for blog articles, case studies, websites, etc. Plus, we'll talk about how those rates might vary for others. There's nuance to pricing your services. If you're wondering if you're totally off base with your rates, keep reading.

The importance of transparency

Freelance writers tend to keep their rates close to their chests. But why? That secrecy leads to confusion for a lot of freelance writers starting their careers. It can also blindside seasoned writers if they find out their peers make significantly more or less than they do.

Having some semblance of industry pricing standards can help you be on par with other writers doing similar work. Here are a few things to think about:

Strike a balance. Your work is valuable, and your rates should reflect that, but don't overcharge.
Ask yourself why the project is worth a certain amount. You're probably on the right track if you have a reasonable explanation.
Rates depend on the industry, experience level, and how you sell your work.
Companies have a responsibility to pay workers appropriately. Make sure the companies you partner with equally compensate writers doing the same work.

Now let's get into the details.

What to charge for website copy

Rates for website copy are dependent on the website's use. How much revenue and traffic does it generate? If it's the engine driving a business, you should charge more.

Don't forget, web copy can include about and landing pages, audits, entire websites, and more. Here are some pricing guidelines with real numbers:

Large website (often responsible for a significant amount of sales): $12,000–15,000
Small websites: $5,000–10,000
One page (depends on the purpose of the page): $700-2,500
Website audit (suggestions on optimizations): around $1,000

Landing pages (part of a website build) are a bit more involved. We recommend setting the base price for a single page plus a commission based on sales produced. Landing pages often have direct response copy, which generates a lot of revenue. That's high-value copy, and you should charge accordingly.

What to charge for a blog post

Blog posts aren't as easy to nail down a price as other projects like case studies and web pages. For one, they depend on your experience. Your rate is more often paid per word than a flat project price. With blog posts, it's tough to throw out a price and put a stake in the ground because it's variable.

“There's podcast transcription, whereas the other end of the spectrum is a deep dive with 17 pages, lots of quotes, and lots of research. It's such a spectrum.”

Writers should strive for $1 per word, although that's often reserved for industry experts. If you're the resident expert in marketing employee benefits for insurance companies, you're more likely to secure that rate than a writer who doesn't inhabit that niche. Beginning writers often start as low as $0.10–.20 per word.

Don't forget to sell your services. If you can justify your rate and communicate the value of your service, companies are more likely to pay you a competitive rate.

What to charge for a case study

Sales-focused assets like case studies are valuable. They provide in-depth proof of the company's success, regardless of whether it's centered around a product or service. On top of the writing, your work will involve interviewing and researching.

We recommend charging at least $600 for a case study. When a case study requires multiple interviews and extensive research, you should aim for $900–2,000.

Again, pricing depends on the scope. Some case studies could be as little as one page. Others could be similar to white pages and packaged into more significant assets, like an e-book.

When in doubt, crowdsourcing your rates on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn can help.

What to charge for a newsletter

Once again, we find ourselves in murky territory. Newsletters and emails are variable depending on project scope, content value, experience, and more. Consider a commission-based pay if you're responsible for a high converting email.

Ultimately, it's essential to make sure companies understand the value of writing.

“We should all work together to say good writing has a lot of value for businesses. This is not just some little piddly person typing on a keyboard. This is strategic work that will make connections with your audience, make conversions and sales, and all of those things.”

“What would I charge for this?”: Getting real about the $$$ we’d charge