When I started freelance writing back in 2016, I wasn’t sure how to find clients. But, after hearing about the low paying content mills, I knew I didn’t want to waste my time there. Instead, I focused on landing a few higher paying clients.
If you feel stuck writing for low wages, I want to help. You don’t need to write for a penny or two a word when there are so many clients willing to pay more. Your words are valuable, and so is your time.
In this post I share the steps I use to negotiate higher freelance writing rates. The five steps are:
- Be Confident
- Have a Minimum Rate & Know Your Rate Structure
- Start High
- Negotiate the Details
- Focus on Value Instead of Cost
Are you ready? Let’s jump right in.
Step 1: Be Confident
If your client perceives that you’re waffling on your prices, or that you’re unsure of yourself, they’ll be less likely to pay more. Be confident and firm.
When a potential client asks what your rate is, don’t write an email that says:
My starting rate is $x/word. But, if that’s too much, I don’t mind lowering that a little bit.
That’s the exact opposite of confident. It also tells the client that they can pay you less if they balk at your rate.
Instead, take off that final sentence. Leave it at my starting rate is $x/word.
The client still may come back with a lower rate, but it won’t be because you told them to.
Step 2: Have a Minimum Rate & Know Your Rate Structure
Part of your confidence will come from knowing exactly what you’re willing to take for a job. Always have a minimum rate in the back of your mind.
When you first start writing, your minimum rate will be lower. You need to get some samples under your name and become comfortable in your role as a writer.
As you gain experience and fill your portfolio, your goal should be to raise your rates.
Regardless of where you are in your freelance journey, decide on the lowest rate you are willing to take. You also need to figure out how to charge. This is your rate structure.
In the freelance writing space, there are three common rate structures. I recommend being prepared for all of them, so you can negotiate confidently no matter the structure. Here’s a quick overview:
1. Charge by the Hour
Some clients want to know your hourly wage. This is my least favorite form of payment.
When you’re being paid by the hour, you must track your time. If you’re juggling parenthood and writing, this becomes difficult. You may sit down to write something and get interrupted halfway through by something your child needs. Keeping track of how much time you spend only on that post takes a lot of brain power.
Another downside of an hourly wage is that you get punished for being efficient. If you’re a fast writer and can knock out a 500-word blog post in thirty minutes, you earn less than someone who spends two hours on the same task.
If you are working with an hourly paying client, I recommend asking how many hours they think the task will take. If you’re able to do it faster, include that information in your negotiations.
As a freelancer, you are responsible for taxes. Many beginners accept a low hourly wage but forget to factor in the portion that goes to the government. When you’re setting an hourly rate, take what you want to earn, and add at least 35% to it. That way after you pay taxes and expenses, you still earn what you wanted.
Though I don’t like getting paid by the hour, I do have an hourly wage in mind. This helps me form my rates using the other two structures.
2. Charge by the Word
Often when you’re looking for clients, they ask for your rate per word. It’s a common rate structure.
When you’re first starting out, you may take a gig paying $0.05/word. This means for a 500-word piece, you’d earn $25.
If this is a post you can knock out quickly, without research, it may be worthwhile. If you’re going to invest several hours into this post, you can see how $25 isn’t enough.
This is where your hourly rate begins to matter. When you’re quoting a per word rate, think about the how many words you need to produce. How long will it take you to get a quality post researched, written, and edited?
In the beginning, you may discover your estimate was off. However, as you gain experience, you gain a better understanding of how long certain aspects take. To cover this miscalculation, I recommend estimating high in the beginning.
Once you have your time estimate, simply multiply it by your desired hourly wage. If you want to earn $30 an hour and you think the post will take three hours, you’re now at $90. Now divide that $90 by the total number of words.
If you need to write 1000 words, you’d need $0.09 a word to get your desired rate. ($90/1000 = $0.09).
You can also round that up to $0.10/word and keep that in mind as your minimum. That’s a good rate for freelancers with a bit of experience under them.
3. Charge by the Project
This is my preferred way to charge. When you charge by the project, both you and the client know the total upfront payment. It’s not subject to an exact number of hours or words.
I find my rate for project-based pieces by again estimating how long the task will take. Be sure to add in any extras, like sourcing pictures or creating Pinnable images.
Then I multiply my desired rate by how long I think it will take. This is the number I share with the client.
Know How to Switch Between Structures
Because all three of these rate structures are common, it’s important that you know how to find your desired rate with all three. Otherwise you may end up taking a deal that doesn’t work out for you.
Step 3: Start High
Okay, let’s dig into the important stuff and discuss how to negotiate with a potential client.
Negotiating typically involves some give and take. With that in mind, I start off on the high end. Then, if the client comes back that the quoted price is out of their price range, I can decide if I want to lower it or not.
If I do, I will be able to give a number that is still within my desired range. But, if I had started off at my desired rate, I would be stuck either taking less than I want or having to turn down the work.
If it’s a client I really want to work with, I’m more willing to negotiate. And always remember you’re not just agreeing contract terms, you’re building a relationship. So, be professional and put yourself in the other person’s shoes as you negotiate. This will help you maintain a confident but courteous negotiating position.
Step 4: Negotiate the Details
When I negotiate, I don’t focus only on the dollar amount. There are other factors that go into writing, and many can be negotiated.
For instance, you can work out the details related to:
- The deadline
- What source material the client provides
- Who uploads the piece to WordPress
- Structure of the piece (roundup, case study, listicle, etc.)
- The “extras” (images, graphics, video)
Are there any related services you can upsell? Perhaps you can create a great sharable video to supplement the post. Or create graphics.
If you decide to cut your rate, what concessions can the client give? Can they extend the deadline or provide more source material? Writing a post from an established outline or solid notes takes much less time.
The goal of negotiating for high paying freelance gigs is to reach an agreement that works for both of you.
Step 5: Focus on the Value Instead of the Cost
This last step is arguably the most important when negotiating high paying writing rates.
Always keep in mind what it is your client most wants and why you’re the best person to deliver for them.
The amount you propose can be hard for the client to swallow, if they’re merely looking at the cost. But, having high-quality writing is worth a lot to the company. You’re not just writing a blog post. You are providing long-lasting value.
Have a solid understanding of how active blogs can help drive traffic. Know the importance of providing readers with consistent, helpful content.
Focus on the value with your client, not the cost. Point out the benefits and the why of what you’re doing. Clients who understand the ROI are more willing to pay the rate you propose.
Negotiate Better Freelance Writing Rates
I hope this has you inspired to negotiate your freelance writing rates. If you are already working for less than you’re worth, you can begin negotiating with your existing clients.
Just remember to follow the five steps:
- Be Confident
- Have a Minimum Rate & Know Your Rate Structure
- Start High
- Negotiate the Details
- Focus on Value Instead of Cost
And always do your best work. Your reputation matters as a freelance writer. If you become known as someone who does excellent work, people will be willing to pay more.
If you’d like a step-by-step guide to starting a freelance writing business, check out Make Money As A Freelance Writer. This book teaches you everything you need to know to get started as a freelance writer. Click below to see it on Amazon.
