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!