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Getting Paid...How Much is Enough?
By Amy Munnell
Figuring out what your work is worth as a freelance writer is
sometimes difficult. Here's a brief guide to the average pay
rates for freelance writers.
Do you charge by the hour, by the project, by the word?
This all depends on what you're doing. Certain tasks just
lend themselves to different pay styles. Here are some samples.
By the hour:
Publicity/Public Relations
Advertising or copy writing
Evaluations, critiquing, editing
Research, fact checking, proofreading
By the project:
Speech writing
Press kits, press releases
Brochures, Newsletters
Presentations to groups
By the word, line or page:
Magazine/newspaper features
Reviews
How do you decide what to charge?
That's different for everyone and for every task. The first
thing you should do when you decide to freelance, part-time
or full-time, is figure out how much you're going to charge.
There are several things to consider.
First, look at your experience level. If you're a beginning
freelance writer, remember that the byline and the clipping
or résumé item are part of your salary. Yes, you'd like money
in your pocket, and you should always be paid some amount for
your work, but the experience can help you secure your next
assignment. However, just because this is your first day as a
freelancer doesn't mean you're completely inexperienced. Don't
forget your educational background and if you have experience
in certain fields from your past jobs.
Next, consider how much you need to make from your writing.
Look at all aspects of your life. Is your writing going to pay
for living expenses, your health insurance, car payment? Or is
it supplemental income? For instance, if you spend two days
doing a promotional brochure for a new dance school, you need
to know how much those two days are worth to you and be
prepared to ask for that amount.
Research what other people charge in your area for the same
or similar work. Simply ask for a rate sheet from companies
or other freelancers. You don't have to explain why. You can
also join local writers groups or professional groups or
search the Internet.
Are there national averages for pay rates?
Google "what writers are paid" and you'll get a number of
websites for all different types of writers, from technical
writers to screenwriters. WritersMarket.com has a pdf file
entitled "How Much Should I Charge?" that has nine pages of
charts showing pay rates for 10 different categories from
advertising to audio visual to newspapers. This pdf is only
available to subscribing members, but it is only about $3/
month to subscribe. The document is well worth $3 if you don't
use the site again. If you want to write for T.V. or film, the
Writers Guild of America also has a pdf called the "Schedule of
Minimums" that outlines the pay rates for a variety of tasks
in T.V. and film. Although this is accessible to anyone, it
applies only to WGA members, but it will give you an idea.
We can't consider every mitigating factor here, but generally,
working from the lists above, hourly rates for such tasks as
public relations, evaluations and research, the rates can run
from a low of $20/hour to a high of $200. By the project rates
vary even more widely between the tasks, locations and potential
exposure. A press release may run as low as $125 while a
presentation at a national event (if you have the right
credentials) could earn you $30,000. Publications sometimes
pay by the piece, in general smaller publications like city
magazines pay as low as 10˘/word or $25 per short front section
articles, while slick national magazines can pay $3/word and up
for feature-length articles.
When planning your rate sheet, be realistic, but don't sell
yourself short. Then when facing a client, be flexible when
the potential is high, but be firm in your negotiations.
Finally, keep moving forward to have a solid career as a
freelance writer.
BIO
Amy Munnell, Editor
3 Questions...and Answers: a Blog/Zine about Writers
http://3questionsandanswers.blogspot.com
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