How to Price Your Writing: Breaking Down Rates and Packages

Pricing your writing services is messy, personal, and often confusing. I spent my first two years as a freelancer constantly second-guessing my rates, wondering if I was charging too much or too little. After working with hundreds of clients and talking with countless other writers, I've learned that while there's no perfect formula, there are smart ways to approach pricing that won't leave you scrambling to pay rent or losing clients to sticker shock.

Finding Your Baseline

Before we get into specific pricing strategies, you need to know your numbers. Most pricing advice skips this crucial first step, but it's essential. Here's what to calculate:

1. Monthly living expenses (yes, including that fancy coffee subscription)
2. Business costs (software, courses, equipment)
3. Taxes (set aside roughly 30% of your income)
4. Savings and healthcare

Take that total and divide it by the number of hours you can actually write each month. Be realistic—you won't write 8 hours a day or 5 days a week. If your monthly needs total $5,000 and you can write 100 hours per month, you need to earn at least $50 per hour to make ends meet.

Pricing Models That Work in Real Life

Per-Word Pricing

Many writers default to per-word pricing because it seems straightforward. But consider your writing speed. It makes a huge difference. Writing 500 words per hour at $0.10 per word (don't charge this) nets you $50 per hour. But if you write 300 words per hour, you'll need to charge more to hit your target rate. Your writing speed matters more than industry "standards."

That said, I want to encourage you to never charge less than $0.25 a word if you do per word pricing. You're worth it!

Project-Based Pricing

This approach focuses on deliverables rather than time spent. A blog post that drives significant sales for your client brings more value than the hours you spent writing it.

Here's what I've found works for experienced writers:

• Blog Posts (800-1,200 words): $750-1,500
• Research-Heavy Articles (1,500+ words): $1,200-3,000
• Website Copy (Per Page): $800-2,000
• Email Sequences (5-7 emails): $1,500-3,500

These ranges reflect the value professional writers bring through research, strategy, and expertise. If you're wondering why the range is so wide, it's because factors like industry expertise, research depth, and interview requirements significantly impact pricing.

Will you make those rates if you're just starting out as a freelancer? You might if you bring extensive writing experience to the table.

Or you might start a little lower, in that $0.25 a word range. That would be closer to $250-300 for a basic blog post. Note: You can use per word to calculate your bottom line for your internal rate. When pricing per project, your client only sees the total project fee.

Monthly Retainer Packages

Retainers changed my business. Instead of constantly hunting for one-off projects, I create packages that solve specific problems. For example:

The Content Growth Package ($4,500/month):

• 4 SEO-optimized blog posts
• 2 newsletter emails
• Social media snippets
• Monthly content strategy call

The Brand Voice Package ($3,500/month):

• 2 thought leadership articles
• 1 case study
• LinkedIn post drafts
• Monthly analytics report

When to Raise Your Rates

You probably need to charge more if:

• You're booked several months in advance
• Clients consistently praise your work
• You've gained new skills or certifications
• You haven't raised rates in 6+ months
• You're working evenings and weekends to keep up

The Psychology of Pricing

Your confidence in your rates directly affects whether clients accept them. I learned this the hard way after a client called me out for apologizing while sharing my rate. Now I state my prices clearly and directly, just like any other business fact.

Real-World Application

Here's how to put this into practice. When a startup asks about blog content, don't just quote "$800 per post." Instead, try:

"Based on your goals of increasing organic traffic and establishing expertise in your industry, I recommend two in-depth posts per month at $1,200 each. Each post includes:

• Comprehensive topic research and SEO optimization
• Expert interviews
• Custom graphics guidance
• Two rounds of revisions
• Social media snippets
• Newsletter summary"

This approach shows the value behind your pricing, not just the number.

Moving Forward

1. Calculate your actual hourly output and compare it to your current rates
2. Create three distinct service packages
3. Write your rate increase announcement (you'll use it sooner than you expect)
4. Review and adjust your rates quarterly

Your pricing strategy will evolve as your skills and client base grow. Start with rates that cover your needs and reflect your current skill level, then adjust as you gain experience. The goal isn't to hit some magical "perfect" rate—it's to build a sustainable writing business that serves both you and your clients well.

Remember, good clients value quality work and are willing to pay for it. Focus on delivering excellent results, and don't let fear of losing work keep you stuck at starter rates forever.