The Ultimate Guide to Freelance Copywriter Rates in 2024: Discover What to Charge

Freelance copywriting can be a lucrative and rewarding profession, but determining the right rates can be challenging. In this blog post, we’ll explore various aspects of freelance copywriter rates in 2024, including different payment structures, factors affecting your rates, and typical industry rates for various copywriting projects.

Payment Structures for Freelance Copywriters

As a freelance copywriter, you have several options for setting your rates.

Understanding each method’s pros and cons can help you determine the best approach for your freelance copywriting career. Let’s dive deeper into the most common payment structures for freelance copywriters.

How much can you charge per hour?

According to Salary.com, the suggested initial rates for novice copywriters range from $26 to $29 per hour. However, freelance writers who possess 5 or more years of experience in the field have the potential to earn between $75 and $125 per hour.

However, many freelance copywriters prefer to charge per project instead of at an hourly rate for several reasons:

• Clear expectations: Charging per project allows both the copywriter and the client to have clear expectations about the overall cost of the work. It eliminates any surprises regarding the final invoice and ensures transparency in pricing.

• Value-based pricing: Charging per project enables copywriters to charge based on the value they provide, rather than just the time spent on the work. This can be more appealing to clients, who are typically more interested in the results and impact of the copy, rather than the time it took to create it.

• Efficiency and motivation: Per-project pricing encourages copywriters to work more efficiently since their earnings are not tied to the time spent on the project. This often results in faster project completion and improved time management.

• Easier budgeting for clients: Clients can budget more easily when they know the total cost of a project upfront. This can also lead to a higher level of trust and satisfaction between the copywriter and the client.

• Flexibility: Per-project pricing allows copywriters to adjust their rates depending on the complexity, length, and scope of a project. This enables them to offer competitive pricing and potentially secure more projects.

Ultimately, the choice between charging hourly or per project comes down to your personal preference. When setting your prices, it’s important to think about things like market rates, experience, and the specific needs of each project. 

Charging per Hour: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Straightforward and easy to calculate
• Compensates you for the actual time spent working on a project
• Suitable for ongoing projects or those with an unclear scope

Cons:

• Clients may be hesitant about open-ended costs
• Can discourage efficiency and penalize faster, more experienced content writers
• Doesn’t take into account the value your work brings to the client

How much can you charge per project?

According to a study by Peak Freelance, 65% of freelancers opt to charge per project. Meanwhile, WeAreIndy.com reports that 27% of writers charge between $250 and $400 for a 1,500-word post.

Furthermore, it is notable that most writers who earn over $100,000 annually set a minimum rate of $1,000 per project post.

Charging per Project: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Clients know the total cost upfront, making budgeting easier
• Encourages efficiency and rewards experience
• Allows you to account for the value your work brings to the client, not just the time spent

Cons:

• Requires accurate estimation of the time and effort involved
• Scope creep can lead to underpayment if not managed properly
• Can be challenging to determine the right price for each project

How much can you charge per word?

When deciding how much to charge per word, it’s important to think about your experience, the complexity of the project, and industry standards. According to Clearvoice, freelance writer rates can range from $0.01 per word for inexperienced writers to more than $1.00 per word for top-tier writers who have contributed to well-known publications.

Charging per Word: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Provides clients with a clear understanding of costs
• Allows you to scale your rates based on the length of the project
• Easy to calculate and implement

Cons:

• May encourage verbose writing or discourage concise messaging
• Doesn’t consider the time spent on research, editing, or client communication
• Can be challenging to determine the right price per word for each project

Typical Freelance Copywriter Rates

If you’re a freelance copywriter, it can be challenging to know what to charge for your services.

However, understanding the average freelance rates for specific types of copywriting projects can help you determine your pricing. Here are some typical freelance copywriter rates to give you a better idea of what to charge.

Website copywriting rates

Copywriting rates for websites can vary based on the writer’s experience and how hard the content is to write. According to the Freelance Writing Rates Guide by The Balance Small Business, website copywriting rates can range from $50 to $500 per page or more. Keep in mind that specialized content or highly technical topics may command higher rates.

Email copywriting rates

Email copywriting rates typically depend on the length and complexity of the email, as well as the writer’s experience. According to ClearVoice, email copywriting rates can vary from $100 to $2,000 per email. These rates may be higher for sales-focused or highly specialized email campaigns.

Landing page copy rates

Landing page copy rates can range widely based on the writer’s expertise and the project’s requirements. In the 2021 Freelance Writer Rate Guide by Contently, landing page copy rates range from $150 to $2,000 per page. Rates can be higher if the project needs a lot of research or a writer with a lot of experience.

Video script writing rates

Video script writing rates depend on the length of the script, its complexity, and the writer’s experience.

According to the WriterAccess Pricing Guide, video script writing rates can range from $250 to $3,000 per script. Remember that specialized content or highly technical topics may command higher rates.

White paper report writing rates

White paper report writing rates depend on the length, complexity, and research required for the project. According to the Creative Group’s 2021 Salary Guide, white paper writing rates can range from $2,000 to $7,000 per paper or even more, depending on the writer’s expertise and the project’s requirements.

Factors in Setting Your Rates

When determining your freelance copywriter rates, consider the following factors:

Your location

When it comes to freelance copywriting rates, your location is an essential factor to consider.

Rates can vary significantly depending on where you live and work. For instance, a freelance copywriter based in a major metropolitan area like New York or London may command higher rates than someone working in a smaller city or rural area.

The cost of living and average income level in your area can influence the rates you charge. In some countries or regions, copywriting may not be as valued, and as a result, rates may be lower. On the other hand, rates may be higher in places where there is a lot of demand for copywriting services. It’s important to find out what the local market rates are so that your prices are competitive and match local industry standards.

Your experience and skill level

Your experience and skill level are significant factors that impact your freelance copywriting rates. As a copywriter gains more experience, they develop a broader range of skills, knowledge, and expertise, which allows them to provide better-quality work to their clients. Therefore, a copywriter with extensive experience and skills can command higher rates than someone who is just starting.

A seasoned copywriter has a track record of delivering quality work, satisfied clients, and successful projects, which can help them justify their rates. Clients are more likely to pay higher rates for a copywriter with a proven track record of success. A copywriter with more experience often works faster and can handle more difficult projects, which is another reason why they can charge more.

Your industry or niche

Specializing in a particular industry or niche is an effective way to increase your freelance copywriting rates. Clients value expert knowledge and familiarity with their target audience, which can only be gained through specialized experience in a certain industry or niche. By specializing in a specific industry or niche, you can offer a unique set of skills and knowledge that sets you apart from generalist copywriters.

Specializing in a certain industry or niche can also help you position yourself as an expert in that field, which can increase your perceived value and give you the right to charge more. Clients are often willing to pay more for skilled copywriters who have a deep understanding of their industry or niche and can provide tailored solutions to their unique challenges.

Your results and case studies

Demonstrating your copywriting skills with tangible results and case studies is a powerful way to increase your freelance copywriting rates. Clients want to see the return on investment they can expect from working with you, and case studies and success stories are a great way to prove your worth.

When creating case studies or success stories, it’s essential to be specific and data-driven. For example, instead of saying you increased conversions for a client, include the exact percentage increase and the strategies you used to achieve it. Including data and metrics is more convincing and provides concrete evidence of your skills.

Testimonials and referrals from satisfied clients are also valuable tools to demonstrate your copywriting skills and results. Clients are more likely to pay higher rates for a copywriter with a track record of successful projects and happy clients.

Does everyone pay the same rates?

Sadly, No. Despite the fact that everyone would ideally pay the same rates for similar services, the reality is quite different. In the world of freelance writing, for instance, clients’ perceptions of the value of a writer’s work can vary greatly. This can lead to vastly different rates being offered for seemingly similar projects.

Unfortunately, not all clients appreciate the effort and skill that goes into creating high-quality content. I’ve been offered minimal compensation, like $50 for a 1,000-word sales page, while others recognize the value of a talented writer and are willing to pay considerably more. Other clients have paid me $5,000 to write a sales page and email campaign.

Freelance Copywriter Rates FAQs

To help you better understand freelance copywriter rates, let’s address some frequently asked questions.

Should I charge per hour, per project, or per word?

This largely depends on your preference and the nature of the project. Per-project pricing is popular among freelance copywriters, as it allows for flexibility and factors in the value your work brings to the client. However, per-word pricing can be suitable for content writing, and hourly rates may be appropriate for projects where the scope is unclear.

How can I increase my rates?

As you gain experience, improve your skills, and build a portfolio of successful projects, you can gradually increase your rates to reflect your growing expertise. Specializing in a niche or industry can also help justify higher rates.

Should I negotiate my rates with clients?

Negotiation is a part of freelancing, and it’s essential to be open to discussing your rates. However, it’s crucial to know your worth and set a minimum rate that you won’t go below to maintain your value and professionalism.

For a successful career as a freelance copywriter in 2024, it is important to know and set the right rates. By considering factors such as your location, experience, niche, and the type of project, you can establish competitive rates that reflect the value of your work. With this knowledge in hand, you’re now better equipped to navigate the world of freelance copywriting and charge confidently for your services.