How to charge higher freelance writing rates

I recently posted on my social media networks that if you have been professionally writing for at least 5 years, and you're not charging $1+/word, you're not charging enough.

I got bunches of DMs in response asking if that is for real a realistic rate, and how to go about raising rates.

Yes, it's absolutely a realistic rate. I don't even look at a project if it's not within that range, and I'd venture to guess other friends that write in the SaaS space probably don't either.

But, here's the thing.

Charging high rates isn't a given in freelance writing, and it's not even about how well you write.

Being confident in charging high rates is 100% about being a good business owner.
Before you start charging more, here's what you need to do:

1. Build a website immediately 

A website gives you credibility and shows you care about your business and clients. If you don't have a website, you need one now. 

I recommend building a WordPress site, hosted through Bluehost. WordPress is intuitive enough for you to build a great site by yourself. You can learn how to start a website here.

2. Gather quality samples

If you want to charge higher rates, show clients you know how to write. If you haven't been published yet, it's okay. Write some specs to share with clients. 

Yes, it will take some time to build your business, but starting with specs is perfectly acceptable.

3. Iron out your processes

I cannot stress enough how important it is to build business processes.

Do you know what to say on your first client call and kick-off call?

Do you have an onboarding process?

Do you know how to write a proposal?

Do you have a content brief?

Do you have a process for editing?

Do you know how to use project management tools?

Do you have a legal contract? 

If the answer is "no" to any or all of these questions, please check out this guide + kit for freelance writers. It comes with EVERYTHING you need to run a successful freelance business + templates you can use to hit the ground running. The info in the guide holds the keys to boosting your rates.

GET THE FREELANCE WRITERS GUIDE + KIT HERE

4. Build a network

Your freelance writer network will be one of your biggest tools in getting clients and even raising your rates. 

Connect with other freelancers that write in your niche, build relationships, and set up a way to get and give referrals.

5. Learn content marketing

Writing for the internet isn't just about being a stellar writer. It's about knowing how to write for a specific audience and understanding the rules of content marketing. 

Why? This is how you get results for your clients. 

All freelance writers should know the basics of SEO and how to optimize content for optimal search results. 

I'll send out more tips next week. This should be enough to get you started. Taking these steps will 100% make a difference in how much you make this year. You got this!

Is freelance writing still a good career?

Making the jump to freelancing today is a big change, and may beg the following questions:

1. Is freelancing worth it?

2. Are freelance writers still in demand?

The simple answers are "yes and yes." Freelance writing is worth it, and freelance writers are in high demand. In fact, it's hard for good freelance writers to even keep up these days.

There's plenty of work to go around and now is as good of a time as any to hop on the freelance writing bandwagon.

Still on the fence? Here are some other reasons to consider freelancing:

1. THE INTERNET IS ON FIRE WITH GROWTH

Freelance writers should love the internet. People spend hours and hours searching for information, shopping online, and nearly all businesses have a website that needs continuous content. As the internet grows, so does the demand for excellent content writers.

Don’t believe me? Take a gander at any internet marketing website, and you’ll notice a common theme—if business owners want to reach their target market, they need a strong content marketing strategy.

2. GOOGLE REWARDS WEBSITES WITH RELEVANT CONTENT WITH HIGHER ORGANIC LISTINGS

The more relevant content that business owners can strategically post on their website, the better chances they have of higher search engine listings.

What does this mean? It means business owners need freelance copywriters to help with search engine visibility via content marketing.

Additionally, Google likes to see refreshed website and blog content. This means business owners should rewrite their website content and repurpose blog content often to stay relevant.

The ever-pressing need for fresh content keeps freelance writers in high demand.

3. BUSINESS OWNERS ARE NOT ALWAYS WRITERS

As mentioned above, all business owners need a website with robust content. However, not all business owners are great writers. In fact, most are terrible writers.

Enter freelance copywriters LIKE YOU to save the day.

4. CONTRACT WRITERS ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

When a company hires an in-house writer, they have to pay a salary and expenses, including health insurance, 401K, office space, and more.

Hiring a full-time copywriter is expensive. Not to mention, turnover costs are high. It can cost anywhere from 16% to 200% of an employee’s annual salary to replace any one employee.

When business owners outsource projects to freelancers, they save gobs of money, even if your prices are higher (FYI: $1/word is what I typically charge).

If making the jump to freelance writing is one of your goals for 2021, the time is now. Demand for good writers is high, and there is no better time than now to work from home. 

Imposter syndrom for freelance writers

You know when employers ask you what your biggest weakness is and it's awkward? Well, my answer is...I am a workaholic. Don't hire me unless you want someone who is 100% dedicated to slaying corporate goals. Just kidding.

My real answer (which I wouldn't share with a potential employer) is I don't take criticism very well. It's not because I think everything I do is perfect and amazing, and I'm right about everything. Quite the opposite. It's because criticism plays into my least favorite psychological phenomenon: IMPOSTER SYNDROME.

My natural reaction to criticism isn't, "Wow, what a great suggestion!" It's more like, "OMG. What am I doing here? Why do I own a business? How do I call myself a writer? I should quit my life and work as a chimney sweep."

I know. Harsh. And, so ridiculous.

Why am I even bringing up Imposter Syndrome in relation to starting/enhancing your freelance writing business?

Because psychological research shows two things:

1. Imposter Syndrome affects nearly everyone (70% of the population, to be exact), including the likes of total losers like Tom Hanks, Sheryl Sandberg, Lady Gaga, Tina Fey, and Howard Shultz.

2. When you buy into Imposter Syndrome, it hinders personal growth and goal achievement in a significant way.

My hope is to offer a bit of encouragement and some strategies to overcome Imposter Syndrome as you build your freelance writing business.

1. You are awesome and uniquely talented. Seriously, Dr. Suess even said so, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you. Shout aloud, I am glad to be what I am. Thank goodness I'm not a ham, or a clam, or a dusty old jar of gooseberry jam. I am what I am, what a great thing to be. If I say so myself, happy every day to me!”

2. You don't have to know everything (or anything) to work toward your goals. Einstein wasn't born...well...Einstein. I mean, he was, and he wasn't. He was always Einstein, but he didn't come out of the womb holding a Nobel Prize for Physics. It took hard work, trial and error, research, dedication, and...you guessed it...dealing with Imposter Syndrome.

3. Your worth as a human (and writer) isn't defined by your external achievements. Rainer Marie Rilke says that the only relevant question for writers is, "must I write?" He doesn't tell you to ask yourself, "Have I been published in the New York Times?" "Do I make $200K a year?" "Do I know every grammar rule in the book?" If you must write, you're a writer. End of story.

4. Be your own BFF. This one comes from my therapist. If the 4-year-old version of yourself was trying something new, would you tell your cute little self you were a total fraud and not good at it and should stop trying? No way! You'd pick that little person up, give yourself a hug, and tell yourself you are awesome for trying, learning, and accomplishing new goals and are growing in ways that are unimaginable. Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to your 4-year-old self.

5. Roll with instant successes. Imposter Syndrome isn't always triggered by criticism. In fact, it's more often incited by rapid success, which may explain why it affects so many celebrities. It’s normal to feel out of place when you set expectations of what it takes to get somewhere and then you suddenly find yourself there, but you skipped some of the steps. Rapid success doesn’t make you a fraud; it makes you cool (and maybe a bit lucky).

Imposter Syndrome is real and affects most of us, but it's not a reflection of reality. Don't let it hold you back from seeking out help and working toward your goals, even if you don't know what you're doing yet. Whatever it is you set out to do, do it because you are worth everything you have worked for or will work for. You are not a fraud; you're fantastic.

When is the best time to start a freelance writing business?

This year has been a doozy in so many ways, right? For me, personally, I've felt the stress of losing childcare, homeschooling (oh dear!), watching loved ones pass away, and the isolation of the pandemic.

While this year has been an emotional roller-coaster in so many ways, it's also been the best year yet for my business. 

Let me say this. It's a good time to work as a freelance writer in a world that relies on the internet more and more each day. If you've been thinking about building your own freelance writing business, the time is now.

To give you a little overview about me, my background is in curriculum development (see resources below) and teaching (Russian and ESL). A little over 10 years ago, however, I longed for a job that allowed for more flexibility and creativity. So, I quit my job and started a freelance writing business.

I started slowly, but it has been the best decision I've ever made. I've spent the past 10 years learning the ins and outs of the freelancing world, building my network, landing dream clients, and fine-tuning my writing and business processes. The best part is I work 15-20 hours a week and make 4x what I was making before at my 9-5.

While I'm constantly learning new things, I have gained some killer business-building insights along the way that I wish I knew when I started out. It would have helped me avoid some painful rabbit holes.

To help freelance writers get their businesses up and running during this strange time, I've developed an in-depth,  step-by-step guide, complete with instructions, resources, and templates. Basically, the guide has everything you need to get started.

GET THE GUIDE HERE!!!

If you have already started a freelance writing business, and want to iron out your processes, this guide is for you too.