How long does a piece of string last?
For the most part, there is no common rate card for copywriting because you gain a wide variety of experience and skill throughout the course of your career. A few pounds will get you the services of certain ‘copywriters,’ while those who call themselves copywriters but don’t have commercial writing experience will charge you hundreds or thousands of pounds.
Consequently, how can you be certain that you’ve selected a decent one and not one that will rip you off with shoddy written dribble?
Choosing a top copywriter as a freelancer
1. Ask around – Find out from coworkers and other respected business associates who they rely on. That way, you’ll get a first-hand look at what the author is like from their perspective.
A search on Google will bring up only those who have a solid grasp of SEO (which is what you need, right?), but it will also bring up a number of excellent authors and their portfolios.
The easiest approach to find out if you’ve found the correct writer is to speak with them directly. Make contact with them and learn more about them. If you like what you see, it’s a good bet that they’ll be a good fit for your project.
Check out the webpage of the PCN (Professional Copywriters’ Network). Although there is no guarantee that the writers are outstanding, the fact that they have put themselves out there and are featured on the site would suggest that they are not half bad.
Why are freelance copywriters’ websites lacking in pricing information?
As I previously stated, freelance copywriting does not have a common rate card.
There are a few things to keep an eye out for when it comes to charging:
A mile and don’t look back is all it takes if they charge you by the word. It’s impossible to predict how many words they’ll need. As a second option, they could simply write long, meaningless diatribes and charge the entire planet for them. There are several reasons why this is a bad idea. First and foremost is that it will result in bad writing.
By the day/hour – This is not a good idea for a one-off assignment. The possibility exists that you could be on the hook for a significant fee if you don’t indicate how many days or hours you need. For those who need continuing assistance (i.e. a writer on a retainer), this is the ideal solution. You can employ them as an extension of your marketing staff by hiring them to work a set number of days per month for you.
For one-off tasks, the ideal solution is a fixed charge. You’ll get a specific amount of revisions included in the pricing. When it comes to payment, most writers like to get half of their fee up front and the rest when the text has been signed off.
How can I tell whether the freelance copywriter I’ve hired is good?
This is a situation when you have to trust your instincts.
As long as you’ve done your due diligence, checked them out, talked to them, and asked them a tonne of questions about their previous work, you should be fine.
Ask to examine examples of the writer’s previous work (but remember that those projects were written to a specific brief, so they won’t always be what you’re looking for). Take a look at the people they’ve previously collaborated with. Take a look at their reviews; this will give you a sense of the calibre of the author’s work.
Aren’t marketing agencies better at copywriting content than I am?
However, it’s important to remember that the writer at the agency is not likely to be a copywriting specialist. They’ll be in their early teens or early twenties.
There must be a reason for my belief.
There is no way an agency is going to pay the market cost for a well-seasoned copywriter. It is likely that their in-house writer will also work on other projects, write in their own style (rather than one that reflects your company’s identity), and produce generalised content.
You’re looking for something that reflects your brand’s identity.
For my benefit, I’d like you to write something down for me.
Great! Get in touch with me so we can talk about your requirements. Please let me know if you think I’m not the ideal fit for your project, and I’ll put you in touch with other writers who I believe will be able to meet your needs.
He encouraged me to avoid marketing myself as a “freelance copywriter” several years ago since, in his view: “The word ‘freelance’ devalues what I do.”
That’s something I’ve had a problem with since I was a kid.
I’m primarily a copywriter. As a result of more than a decade of expertise, I’ve worked directly with some of the world’s most well-known companies and some of the most diversified little businesses you’ll ever encounter.
As a second point, I prefer to work on a freelance basis. I don’t want to limit myself to working for just one employer. It’s a privilege for me to be able to work in a number of fields.
The word “freelance copywriter” is one that I take great pride in using, and it will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Having a portfolio like this proves that I am self-reliant, well-traveled (at least in terms of writing), and a wellspring of fresh ideas for whatever project I do.
So, if you’re still wondering, “How much do freelance copywriters charge?” consider it an investment instead of an expense.
You can count on the content you purchase having a long shelf life. If you want your message to resonate with your target audience, it must be carefully crafted.
If you’re willing to pay a pittance, you’ll get a pittance. Investing in high-quality content that is suited to your (and your audience’s) needs will pay dividends again and time again.
