Help! How much should I charge?
By jazzsue58
@jazzsue58 (2666)
March 25, 2009 2:08pm CST
A neat little project has come up on eufreelancer. A canadian buyer wants articles of 500 - 1500 words on a range of topics. There's no mention of SEO or 'must pass copyscape' (i.e. this isn't a job requiring me to plagiarise other peoples work, in fact she requests that any research be backed by info on sources used.)
Eufreelancer is a 'sister' site to Getafreelancer, so payouts are about the same.
My problem is - the buyer asks the provider to give a price on 250, 500,750 and 1000 words and this is where I come unstuck. Usually, the buyer prices the job and it's a case of 'take it or leave it.'
This looks sooooo unprofessional of me, but I have no idea what to charge! A lot of buyers only offer around $3 per 500 words, but that's copyscape work. Anyone can feed an article through textalyser and nick someone else's ideas, but this job demands 'proper' article writing.
I really want to do this, but I'm at a very early stage of my career and don't want to charge myself out of the frame. At the same time, I don't want to sell myself cheap. The client is asking for a minimum of 2 articles per week. Would $5 per 500 words be too low, or is that about right for GAF level clients?
2 people like this
5 responses
@littleowl (7157)
•
25 Mar 09
Hi jazzsue, $5 sounds fair to me so why don't you charge that, after all it is your time and energy you put into writin the article so it is only fair you get a reasonable price for the amount of words you write in an article...littleowl
1 person likes this
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
26 Mar 09
Going rate for freelance articles is generally 1-3 cents per word, unless the "publisher" states a flat rate. That means a 500 word article brings the writer between $5 and $15, depending on what the article is, what the medium is, who the publisher is....etc.
So, $5 for a 500 is low end but not outside the average.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
26 Mar 09
Thanks for all your help people - I can't select a best response as you've ALL given me really good help! I know some sites like Constant Content will quote $30 for one article, but at this stage in the game I'm playing safe (but not too safe) Glad to see my guess of around $5/500 words was about right.
You're right, it is the research that takes time. I found that out when I was researching Hammond Organs last night! To describe how the thing worked would take a dissertation, not 4 paragraphs, but somehow I managed it - with a lot of editing.
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
26 Mar 09
Well, I have never worked with either of these sites and I don't know how much time you will have to spend researching (the real key here), but I would base it on how long it will take you to research and write the articles and then use a rate per hour. I used to do freelance editing, and I charged $15/hour and I could get through about 8-10 pages per hour. Of course, this is years ago, so maybe you want to bump up your hourly rate. Just don't sell yourself short.
If you are just starting out and trying to prove yourself, you may want to knock your price down a little, but I would tell the company this. For example, I am offering this as an introductory rate, but on the next job, my rate will go up to $XX. That way, they can see if they like your style, and you won't get locked into a lower rate.
Good luck!
@snowy22315 (208881)
• United States
27 Mar 09
I really have no idea. You could check a site like constant content and see what they are paying for that number of words. I think there are a number of sites that would pay really well for writing. You just need to find them and participate with them.
@SpikeTheLobster (6399)
•
27 Mar 09
Umm, Copyscape work (i.e. that which must pass) is original stuff, not rewrites. Just about everyone asking for original content will ask that it passes, to make sure you're NOT rewriting. Obviously people who want regurgitation ask that it passes, too!
Easiest way to look for prices is Constant Content. They have a little list of average prices. Let me find the URL...
http://www.constant-content.com/pricesheet.html
Those tend to be the 'professional' rates - in other words I'd aim for about half if you want to make your bid attractive! GAF aims low, don't forget: most people there want 500-word articles for $1-$2 - even totally original ones. Yes, it sucks. 
Suggestion: offer two prices. The 'cheap and cheerful' and the 'well-researched'. That way the buyer knows you're capable of both and that they get better quality for more money - if you have two samples to offer - one of each - it's even better.
Good luck!
Suggestion: offer two prices. The 'cheap and cheerful' and the 'well-researched'. That way the buyer knows you're capable of both and that they get better quality for more money - if you have two samples to offer - one of each - it's even better.
Good luck!