Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

I Charge Too Little for My Copy!

September 16th, 2010 by Bob Bly

An article on DirectCreative.com confirms my worst fears: I charge way too little for my copywriting services.

The article gives some ballpark fee ranges for typical professional-level freelance copywriting projects.

News releases are listed as $500 to $1,500. I can’t ever recall getting anything close to $1,500 for a press release, nor do I think my clients would pay it.

Print ads are listed as $1,500 to $5,000+. I’d like to meet the client who pays more than $5,000 for copy only for a one-page ad.

Blog posts are $250 to $500 each. I don’t write blog posts as a service, but $500 for a single post seems like quick, easy money.

Fees for other projects are more in line with what I think the market will pay, including:

–Website — $500 to $750 per page.
–Online sales page — $1,500 to $5,000+.
–Small brochure — $500 to $1,500

Share

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 5:06 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

60 responses about “I Charge Too Little for My Copy!”

  1. Amy Spreeman said:

    Yipes! I don’t get that much either, Bob. I’m sure my clients need to see what a great value they’re getting!

  2. Bojan said:

    I’m not ever sure whether such lists contain wanna-be-prices, charged prices or real paid amounts. I don’t know but “slightly” exaggerated prices are maybe used purposely to keep up the price level. Which can be useful in times of economic winter …

  3. Fern Dickey said:

    I agree with Bojan. Even larger companies are hurting and trying to get vendors to cut prices. One of my big clients (in cosmetics) cut off her PR person and asked me to lower my rates. I know she had to sell her luxury apartment – so I believe her. And I’m hearing stories like that every day.

  4. Weekly Tweet Matsuri 2010-09-18 | SamuraiWriter.com/blog said:

    […] @Robertbly New blog post: I Charge Too Little for My Copy! https://bly.com/blog/general/i-charge-too-little-for-my-copy/ in reply to Robertbly […]

  5. Paul Hassing said:

    Wow, Bob; your post resonated so strongly, the springs in my chair are still vibrating!

    If YOU can’t pull what you’re worth, what chance have the rest of us?! Best regards, P. 🙂

  6. Loren Woirhaye - direct response copywriter said:

    A lot of of goofy figures get thrown around by marketers promoting bigger-ticket copywriting courses to make it seem like a quick ticket to riches.

    The question is whether you’re a hired gun, brought in to execute a specific job that supports an already well-defined strategy (client has it together and know what they want) – eg. they’re hiring you as the talent – or if you’re being brought in to design and consult on issues of the offer, positioning, delivery, sales process, yada-yada that add value to the equation. If you’re perceived as some sort of white knight (tricky role to play) you may be able to get fatter-than-normal fees, but the problem is the client themselves may have incompetencies that undermine the success of your work.

  7. Victor Mireles said:

    In places like El Paso, where I live and work now, writing is taken for granted, whether it’s for advertising, newsletters, or the web. Clients with a couple of years in college and English majors feel they are qualified to write their own copy. Their claim is that all you need to know is good grammar, spelling, and punctuation, nothing about effectiveness and basic marketing. For that reason, rates are terribly low in towns like mine. The selling proposition for writing good copy is creativity and provocative ideas, not cute and clever blurbs.

  8. Ken Norkin - Freelance Copywriter said:

    Frankly, I think the writer in question pulled those fee ranges out of his butt. I’ve been writing and speaking about the finances of freelancing almost as long as I’ve been a freelancer and if there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that no one knows for sure how much freelancers charge for various projects or how much they earn in a year.

    This is not to disparage the good work and service provided by Bob in listing typical fees in his “Secrets of a Freelance Copywriter,” or Chris Marlow’s copywriter fee survey (that costs a pretty penny to buy), or the figures reported most years in the annual Writers Market, or those in Creative Business newsletter or any pace else. It’s just that every survey I’ve ever seen is flawed in that (1) they all depend on writers finding out about the survey so they can self-selectively participate and (2) they rarely separate out full-time serious freelance businesspeople from the part-time dabblers.

    All that being said, I have earned fees in the ranges described above, but certainly not the top of those ranges. I post my typical fees on my website. Some writers say that’s a bad idea because it can keep away potentially good clients who find the fees too high. I think clients whose budgets are below but close to my posted ranges will call to see what they can work out. I’ll talk with them. But I’d just as soon have the tire kickers look elsewhere.

  9. Dianna Huff said:

    Victor, I would say that the “selling proposition” for getting top fees for copywriting is to get results versus creativity or provocative ideas.

  10. J.M. Lacey said:

    The fees should reflect the expertise of the writer and any other talent he/she can offer that will increase profits for the client.

    In my case, I not only write meticulous copy, but I design and execute the project. So for example, I will plan, write and design a brochure; gather quotes from the printer; then work with the printer to get the piece done and delivered. So my fees will reflect that. I don’t typically charge per hour, but my $100 hourly fee is reasonable for the work and quality I deliver. I have a strong background in marketing and pr, so I can bring a lot to the table. If I feel a piece is going to take me at least 10 hours, then the client will be charge at least $1,000, though it’s usually more because of the work involved.

    If you look at a news release, you can write 300 to 350 words (body) on the first page. At $1 a word, that’s $350. At $100/hr, I’d have to research, interview and write that in about three hours or I lose money. But I also write News Releases that are designed to garner attention and news stories–well worth the client’s money.

    Web sites are trickier than people realize. You not only have to understand SEO, but you still have to write content that sells and keeps the customer on the page once you’ve driven them there, as all Web writers understand. So my content alone could range anywhere from $350/page or more, depending on the content, number of pages and the client’s goals. If a client wants my full service – I hire a fabulous Web designer and technician company so I am able to build the entire site – then that is going to cost more in the way of my time.

    The point is, overall, you have to look at the bigger picture. What is your skill level? How much time is involved? What are you offering – in other words – are you only writing content, or are you offering marketing expertise, hiring outside vendors, creating the entire project, etc.?

    And yes, the client’s budget matters. I also have to be flexible and look at the overall picture. If a client offers to pay me less than I ask, but because of that they guarantee continual work, I have to consider that, too.

    Everyone works differently. I run a business, and I need to make sure I am fair, reasonable and offer the best quality and customer service I can. I get the job done efficiently, my work is of the utmost quality, my clients are happy, and they know they can rely on me.

    And yes, that comes with a price.

  11. Martin said:

    How do you find out what the proper price points are? An accurate range of prices seems to be elusive

  12. Michelle said:

    I live and work in Italy, so my scenario’s completely different, but I’m curious: what would more realistic fees be like? Say, for a press release?

  13. Nathan Segal said:

    It’s interesting. For years I’ve been making a living writing for magazines and I can tell you that the rates are all over the place. Nor is there any such thing as consistency, either.

    Also, just because you find a publication that pays well, it doesn’t mean it will be easy to work for them. One colleague was making $2,500 per article, but gave up writing for the publication because they were so demanding. He found that it was easier to write several articles for $500 each than to try and write one for $2,500.

  14. Stephanie Janard said:

    I can believe that a superstar – and very well connected – copywriter could command such prices for an ad or website copy. Not so much for a press release or blog post, though.

  15. Bizz said:

    Good copy is worth its weight in gold, def should charge what you’re worth
    asphalt and paving services

  16. under205 said:

    thanks for visit this site….Hello, friends if you are the customer of Kidd Valley and wanna know about Kidd Valley customer satisfaction then you must read this post regarding Kidd Valley online survey.

  17. AlexBaker said:

    Everyone wears a costume every single day. You can dress up as your favorite person or superhero any day, but Halloween is something special. You can search for halloween costume ideas online.

  18. under208 said:

    If you already know about its then its good but if you don’t know related Kidd Valley feedback survey then this will help you to complete the whole survey and also can win a coupon that will be redeemable on your next visit with coupon.

  19. Camilezon11 said:

    Hello everyone!

    This is really nice post is a download Quick Heal Total Security for Windows PC – In this article, you can see how you can download and install the Quick Heal Total Security for Windows PC, Laptop, and desktop for free.

    Click here :Free Download Windows Software(Quick Heal Total Security For PC Windows)

  20. John Marshall said:

    Make sure that you charge what you are worth!

    dreamwebdesigns.co.uk

  21. Mike Rooney said:

    Pretty cool post. It’s really very nice and useful post. Keep it up!!John Dutton Jacket Season 3

  22. Top 10 Mobile Phone Brands in the World said:

    Nice sharing, Thanks for sharing this type of posts, I search many time this type of post, are you interest to
    Top 10 Mobile Phone Brands in the World

  23. Curt B said:

    Tough to keep track of the developments, but you do a grand job!
    stamped concrete

  24. Seawall Guy said:

    This is a great way to keep track of things in this instance
    Orlando docks and seawalls

  25. One Dasty said:

    Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience involving the whole family, which is why we begin training early to a pug puppy or French Bulldog puppy is hard work. Making sure they are raised and trained properly can be overwhelming at first, but by offering our customers a great amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies, we thoroughly researched and make sure this puppies will only go to respectable families
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  26. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  27. Maria said:

    If you already know about its then its good but if you don’t know related Kidd Valley feedback survey then this will help you to complete the whole survey and also can win a coupon that will be redeemable on your next visit with coupon. https://www.itsupportcell.com/software-development.html

  28. Andrey said:

    poppy playtime is a horror adventure game sets in an abandoned toy factory. The building is full of monsters and they will chase you and attack you. Avoid them and try to solve the mystery.

  29. Real Estate Agent In Long Island said:

    Real estate Agent In Long Island have been working in this business for the last 12 years and with 12 years of experience, we continue to grow every day and serve our customers. Buying or selling a property is stressful but we will make it fast and easy for you.

  30. Ajit said:

    Kaale Naina Lyrics from Shamshera by Neeti Mohan, Shadab Faridi, Sudesh Bhosale is new released Hindi song in their voices. Kaale Naina song lyrics are written by Mithoon. Its music video is released by YRF.

  31. Metro Shoes said:

    Metro Shoes is offering latest mid heel court shoes for girls online in Pakistan. Make a fashion statement wearing alluring designs by Metro Shoes Pakistan

  32. Rivaj UK said:

    Grab cosmetics and related products like face serum and vitamin c serum for face, only from Rivaj So, grab the high grade best face serum from Rivaj today and enjoy Their best face serum in Pakistan is truly unbeatable and offer a high degree of satisfaction Rivaj offers face serum to their customers all the time

  33. Ndure Shoes said:

    Grab brand new Pakistani shoes for men from Ndure and enjoy a range of stylish shoes online.

  34. Alexpeter said:

    The Career Coach is Europe’s top career coaching consultancy – and has helped more than 10,000 people land their dream jobs, all in less than 40 days.

  35. Jazmin Clothing said:

    Buy latest variety of Designer wear dresses for women in Pakistan. Jazmin provide best designer dresses online at reasonable prices in all over Pakistan.

  36. Murphy Family Mover said:

    Murphy family movers St Charles IL is a known as a name trust of thousands of happy customers. Take our professional services and get rid of your all tensions.

  37. hazeljames said:

    website development Ireland and Dublin offer a complete digital solution for taking your business online. Our Award Winning Agency not only devises strategies for your brand, but we own it like our own.

  38. Ankit Sharma said:

    check more about this hottest model https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/taylor-feingold-recoil-tay/

  39. Ankit Sharma said:

    check out this model also https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/lana-graze/

  40. carlos12 said:

    Business Analyst produces reports that will be presented to Microsoft end-customers, sellers, and partners. You will take data collected from their infrastructure environment to create business analytics and a Cloud Migration Business Case for presentation to Customers. You will have strong Business Analysis and Power BI capabilities to empower customers to better understand & manage their current infrastructures.

  41. ash12 said:

    Affordable Flights by FlightsnTravels gives you an amazing and relaxing flight zone to travel all across the globe with your love one whenever or where ever you want

  42. kamsiah said:

    INFO TERBARU TEXAS77
    Minimal deposit ke Bank 10 rb
    Minimal withdraw 25.rb
    Minimal deposit ke pulsa 10 rb tanpa potongan
    (syarat withdraw TO x5 khusus pulsa)
    Ayo bosku buruan deposit..
    dan juga kami ingin menginfokan kepada bosku semua nya
    Bahwasanya dalam permainan server slot PG Soft dan pragmatic play sedang banyak jackpot besar nya bos
    di coba kembali bermain bersama kami bosku ^^
    hanya dengan minimal deposit sebesar 10rb bosku bisa mendapatkan hadiah hingga puluan juta rupiah ^^

  43. Preeti said:

    The article gives some ballpark fee ranges for typical professional-level freelance copywriting projects. | washington dc drywall contractors

  44. toni eka saputra said:

    ??i nh? c? h?i trúng l?n, nào, ??ng b? l? c? h?i ngàn vàng này, hãy th? ch?i slot ?ang ch?i nhi?u nhân l?n ngay hôm nay, link ??ng ký : https://www.asia99.org/

  45. Oxeltech said:

    Prototype development is the process of creating a functional model of a product before it goes into mass production. This model is usually the first version of the product and helps in evaluating its design, functionality, and usability.The primary goal of prototype development is to identify and resolve any issues before mass production. This saves time and resources by preventing expensive rework and product recalls.

  46. valleerealestate said:

    Discover the comfort and convenience of burnaby townhouse for sale with Valleerealestate. Our carefully curated selection of townhouses for sale offers a range of options, from cozy suburban retreats to sophisticated urban residences in this vibrant city.

  47. tiptop-einrichtung said:

    A Barber Herrenstuhl is a specific chair for male clients in a barbershop. This chair is intended to provide both comfort and functionality while the barber performs their services.

  48. BabyBoxShop said:

    Commemorate the miracle of life with our New Baby Gift Box. Bursting with love and well-wishes, this box is a heartfelt gesture to congratulate the new parents on their bundle of joy. From soft swaddles to charming onesies, each item encapsulates the joyous spirit of welcoming a new baby into the world. Share in the happiness with this thoughtful gift box.

  49. iHost VPS said:

    Experience robust hosting in Canada with iHost VPS. Our ?????? VPS plans offer the power of Canadian servers, ensuring fast, reliable, and secure hosting for your websites and applications in the Great White North.

  50. Module receiver said:

    433.92Mhz RXB12 RX Receiver Module RXB12

  51. CAvpshost said:

    Remote Desktop, also known as Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), allows you to access and control a computer or server remotely from another device. It enables you to interact with the remote server as if you were sitting in front of it, providing a convenient way to manage your server or access files and applications remotely.

  52. We Sell Dead Lots.. said:

    Discover top-notch electronics items suppliers in UAE with We Sell Dead Lots, the largest dead stocks seller in the region. We offer a wide range of quality electronics at unbeatable prices, helping you access surplus stock for your business or personal needs. Explore our extensive inventory and unlock value in surplus electronics today

  53. Tiptop-Einrichtung said:

    A barberstuhl is a specialized chair used in barbershops. It is designed to provide comfort to male clients and facilitate optimal working posture for the barber.hese chairs often have a classic design and can be antique or retro-styled.

  54. iHost VPS said:

    Cheap VPS Hosting refers to a hosting service that offers Virtual Private Servers at an extremely affordable price point. These hosting plans are designed to be budget-friendly while still providing a reliable platform for users to host websites, applications, or other online projects. While cost-effective, it’s essential to ensure that the hosting service meets the required performance and support standards.

  55. Baby Box said:

    To gift a baby present is a sweet gesture to commemorate the arrival of a little one. Discover a wide selection of baby presents designed to make both parents and babies smile. Find the beautiful gift to mark this special occasion.

  56. BSNS Consulting said:

    BSNS Consulting is a trustedTaxation Services Provider in navigating the complex landscape of taxation. Our dedicated team of experienced professionals is committed to providing comprehensive taxation services that cater to individuals, businesses, and organisations alike. With a deep understanding of ever-evolving tax laws and regulations, we ensure that you optimise your tax strategies, minimise liabilities, and maximise your financial well-being.

  57. Vallee Real Estate said:

    In this vibrant city, Real Estate in New Westminster refers to a wide range of properties. There is a property to suit every taste and budget, ranging from contemporary condos to historic mansions. New Westminster provides a pleasant living environment with its picturesque riverfront, energetic communities, and practical conveniences. Discover your ideal house by looking through the many New Westminster real estate possibilities.

  58. California Jacket said:

    Discover the cutting-edge style of 2024 with Atlas 2024 Outfits. Embrace a fusion of sleek, futuristic designs and timeless elegance, reflecting the spirit of innovation and adventure. From tailored suits with metallic accents to avant-garde dresses featuring bold geometric patterns, Atlas 2024 outfits redefine contemporary fashion. With a nod to technology and a flair for sophistication, these ensembles embody the essence of a new era, inspiring confidence and pushing boundaries in the world of style.

  59. APK said:

    Thank you for sharing this insightful article, Bob. It’s eye-opening to see the industry-standard rates for copywriting services. This information really underscores the importance of valuing our work appropriately. Adjusting our fees to reflect our expertise and the market rates can ensure we’re adequately compensated for our skills and efforts.

  60. b3 shearling flight jacket said:

    Great to see such a post on the web, thanks for sharing such with us.

Leave a Reply