MarkT
Member
If one is just starting out in this business, what is a reasonable amount to expect to get paid for an article? Is there a "per word" price? Or is it related to that ever-elusive component called "quality"? Does it have to do with how many previous articles one might have published?
I'm just trying to get a feel for what I should either charge or accept.....any advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
MarkT
Hi Mark! Your question is one that many writers struggle with on a daily basis. First, please be mindful of the scams that are posted on the internet. If you have some time, peruse Craigslist and take a look at the job postings for writers. Most of these postings ask for FREE content for a website. They promise to contact you about a travel writing position after you sign up and post an article; they never contact you. I had this happen to me, and I learned a valuable lesson. I bypass these postings.
I've found that most people will not accept less than $25 per article. Some organizations offer between $2 - $10 per article which is extremely low. Of course, if you're just starting out, you may consider taking a few of these opportunities. Writing 10-20 articles (250 words each article) can add up to some serious cash! However, you do run the risk of building a reputation for taking low paying writing jobs. It's kind of a "catch-22."
The per word can be tricky. This can be based on your experience; a writer may charge is $.25 or less per word and the highest amount could be $1.00+ per word. It all depends on what you feel your writing is worth.
I believe your writing must speak for itself. Being flexible in your writing is key. Remember, it's about what the client wants. Each client will have their own style and tone. Your job is to mold your writing to their needs. You'll find that some clients will demand that you must have been published, where others are willing to look at your work which will speak for itself. I hope this helped!
WriterMom2
Member
I agree with you Rebecca - being confident in your writing is key. I learned this lesson earlier on when I started to write. Also, I did research on "how freelancers set prices," but I kept hitting a "brick wall." Finally, I discovered a PDF on "setting your rates" which broke down pricing per hour, per word, and per piece. I was shocked at how much writers could make; they can make very good money. BTW...it's been said to provide pricing per piece versus per hour...your client will be less shocked by the price for that "travel sales copy" to the Bahamas...Thanks!
I know this is a little late, but...Associated Content is holding a contest in December. If you submit an article, you have a chance of winning a cash prize. You may want to check it out!
Also, you may want to checkout Demand Studios.com. They are another place to write articles and get paid for it.
Good news! Most companies are paying $25 per article/blog and some are paying $50! There are some that are still paying $10 to $15, but they are becoming less and less each day.
I believe organizations are realizing that if they want great content, they will need to pay for it. Anyone can write a 200 or 400 word article/blog, but will it be great content? The answer is NO! Organizations finally realize that well written, unique content is necessary to drive traffic to their websites.
Visit Ezine Articles because their newsletter had some good points about what to expect for 2009...
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