Freelancing/elancing: What to charge?

[scribbler60]

OK, I find myself in a bit of a bind.

Yesterday afternoon I was approached to write some newsletter copy for a training and development organization.

Writing the copy is the easy part. (I've done scads of copywriting before, but it's been inside agencies and not on my own as a freelancer.)

The tough part is knowing what to charge.

Going rates for print range between $0.20 and $0.35 per edited word, but what is it for emailed newsletters? As well, there will be a fair amount of research involved. Is the per-word rate inclusive of research, or is it something additional?

HELP...! My phone meeting is first thing tomorrow morning..!

[webgal]

I started at $50 per hour as a freelance copywriter 16 years ago. I wouldn't go below $35 per hour. Don't sell yourself short. And it does depend on your experience. My rates have changed since then but it gives you an idea of where to start.

[scribbler60]

Thx. Just sent off a proposal based on a $40/hr rate. I'll keep you posted.

[webgal]

Can't wait to hear. Don't let them talk you out of it. So decide now in bullet point form to yourself how you would support the rate.

Basically, this would be how you would sell yourself and why what you have to offer is valuable.

[scribbler60]

Can't wait to hear. Don't let them talk you out of it. So decide now in bullet point form to yourself how you would support the rate.

Basically, this would be how you would sell yourself and why what you have to offer is valuable.
Hmmm... methinks I probably should have done that within the proposal itself, rather than waiting until the proposal was finished and sent... I'm so used to doing this sort of work as an in-house employee that I hadn't really given much thought to the ins and outs of freelancing details.

Steep learning curve, at least for me... :confused:

[camdengirl]

Actually I'd be very wary of putting in a low rate as basically there's a perception of "you get what you pay for" on these sites. I've outsourced a few bits of work and I've purposefully not gone for the lowest figure in some cases just because I have a little voice in the back of my head going "Pay peanuts, get monkeys!!!".

Our VA associates also find that by increasing their hourly rate they get more work - the perception is that the work is better quality.

(I know that wasn't very helpful from an actual hourly rate point of view!)

[scribbler60]

Quick follow-up: Didn't get the contract. No explanation, just the standard, "we have decided to go in a different direction at this time."

ugh

[webgal]

Typical. Clients are always changing their minds. Hopefully, the other will work out.

[Caesar_X]

I wouldn't get too distraught over it. A recently sent out a RFP (request for proposal) and got I about 9-10 proposals in response. Half of them were pretty good, but unfortunately I could only sign one to the deal.

Proposals are like interviewing. Keep on trying and you'll get one!