How to Negotiate Freelance Writing Fees

As a freelance writer, you have a choice in how you bill your clients. Some choose to bill based on an hourly rate. Other choose to negotiate a flat fee. Still others set a per-word rate. The method you use is ultimately up to you, although you must be sure to have an agreement in place with the client regarding your billing methodology. Negotiating fees, regardless of the method, is a nuanced task. Learn how to negotiate freelance writing fees by reading this article.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Review your budget. How much money do you need to pay your expenses and turn a reasonable profit? This will determine how you negotiate your fees.

2. Review the nature of your clients and the work they give you. Are you writing for newspapers? If so, an hourly rate is probably out of the question. Instead, due to their budget constraints, you'll probably be limited to a per-word rate or a flat fee. If you are working for corporations, you could definitely bill at an hourly rate.

3. Consider the size and scope of the project presented to you. If you are under contract with a client for a set price, then this point is moot, as your rates are locked in. If not, weigh how much time the project will take and how many words it will run to.

4. Estimate the amount of time the project will take you. Knowing your client, consider what hourly rate to choose. Some clients may be willing to pay as much as $100 per hour while others can't afford much more than $30 per hour.

5. Calculate how many words the project will entail. Knowing your client, determine what per-word rate to choose. Some clients may be willing to pay as much as $1 per word, while others won't pay more than 10 cents.

6. See which rate is higher. Sometimes the per-word rate will be better than the hourly rate; sometimes the opposite will apply.

7. Call the client. Present to him the rate that is most appealing to you. Give him your estimate, but be clear that it is only an estimate. If he balks after hearing the number, consider negotiating a flat fee that falls between the hourly and per-word rates.

8. Once the client is on board, draft a letter of agreement representing the terms you have arrived at and send it to the client to be signed.

Tips & Warnings

• Some clients won't want to be billed on a per-word or hourly rate for budget reasons. For these clients, do your same back-end estimate and charge them a reasonable flat fee.

• Flat fees tend to be the best option for many freelancers, as they make it easier to calculate your budget.

• If a client refuses to pay you equitable rates, don't work for her. There is no reason you should have to work for less than what you are worth.