How to Price Your Writing As A Freelancer Without Undervaluing Yourself

If you know the art of balancing, you can survive in any industry.

Many freelance writers don’t know how to price their writing.

Low pricing means you don’t understand your own value.

Overpricing means you are overconfident in your skill.

Balance is important.

You shouldn’t undervalue your writing because

If you can’t respect your worth, no one else will.

Writing is a job, so you must get paid the right amount.

You shouldn’t overvalue your writing because

You can be replaced easily because many other writers are craving the work.

The client will not trust you, so you’ll attract fewer clients.

We know that to live a happy and healthy life, balance is the key.

The rule applies in all areas of life, whether personal or professional.

I know many freelance writers, especially beginners, find it challenging to price their writing rightly without crumbling.

No more worries; I am here to solve your puzzles.

Understand Your Value

Your writing is valuable; don’t sell it short. Writing is not just words on paper. It’s beyond that.

You’re:

Solving problems.

Saving time for clients.

Helping businesses grow.

Communicating complex ideas.

A writer with all these qualities is a blessing. Along with helping others, you’re helping yourself.

It’s your right to get paid fairly for your efforts.

So, be clear about what you are offering and demand the right price.

If someone is not respecting your effort, don’t go with them.

Know the Market Rates

You must know the market rates to keep the balance.

How to know that? Research is the key.

Look around. What other professionals are charging?

Observe, analyse and conclude.

People charge differently based on different factors. See what’s phenomenal.

Freelance platform: Go through freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and others to see what other writers are charging and what they are offering.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is one of the biggest marketplaces, which can give you a better idea of ratings.

Here is the rough idea of rates as per services:

• Blog post (500–800 words): $50 to $150 on average.
• Website copy (per page): $100 to $500+
• Email copy: $50 to $300+
• eBook or long-form content: $500 to $5,000+

You must also know that rates vary depending on different factors: niche, experience, country, complexity of project and length.

Factor in Your Experience

Experience is one of the factors that contribute to price setting.

Of course, beginners start from low pricing, but if you’ve written for years, have testimonials, or publish work on known platforms, charge more.

Experience adds credibility.

Being a beginner doesn’t mean writing for free. You can start with low pricing but charge for your work.

Free writing should only be done if you write for yourself:To build a portfolio.

• Publishing on your website or blog.
• Starting a solopreneur journey (business).

Don’t Charge by Words Only

Don’t be bound to the “per-word” rate formula.

Though it’s the most common practice, but you must choose different methods according to your needs.

Why? Because the “per-word” method doesn’t fit all projects.

Sticking to the “per-word” method can undervalue your work.

You must consider:

• Per-project pricing (e.g., $50 for blog post)
• Hourly rates (e.g., $30 to $100 per hour)
• Retainer package (e.g., $800 per month for 10 blog posts)

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “NO”

“No” is the very important thing you must learn. It’s not only a professional need, but rather it’s a common trait that you should build for a balanced life.

Some people are taken for granted just because they don’t know how to say “NO” when needed.

As far as writing life is concerned, you might hear things like:

It’s simple work.

We’ll give you exposure.

Our budget is tight.

You can negotiate, but reasonably.

If they are firm in what they said, you must be firm in your values.

You should say “No” politely yet firmly.

Know That You Deserve It

You must know that you deserve to be paid right for your work.

You are doing business, not a favour. You need to grow your business; for that, balance is required.

The rule is:

Not undervaluing yourself. Not overpricing it. Just a fair deal.

This will help you:

• Avoid burnout at work.
• Attract better and healthier opportunities.
• Grow and build a sustainable career.

Bottom Line

Pricing is not all about money; it’s about the value you put in.

• Your efforts and skills.
• Your time and creativity.
• Your loyalty to your work and the client.
• You’re worth more than a writer.

Would you like to add anything if I skipped it? Or share your thoughts on this.

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Gumroad 💌

Mahnoor C.