by David R. Chase

Created on: March 05, 2010

When you’re a new writer, it’s hard to decide how much your online articles, blogs or Web site copy is worth.  You know it’s a lot, the publisher thinks it should be low and the people reading it don’t even think it costs anything – and there is no industry standard.  Where is the happy medium?

FIGURE OUT YOUR EXPERIENCE

Think hard; have you entered any writing contests, scrawled out an article for the school paper or helped your cousin put content on his Internet site?  What about writing for Helium?

If you haven’t been published formally, that’s okay – but don’t let it cause you to charge less than you’re worth.  Conversely, don’t inflate your prices to ridiculous levels just because you know you’re ‘that good.’

FACTOR IN YOUR TIME
Are you writing as a hobby, or will it become a career?  Can you crank out an entertaining, easy-to-read, 400-word piece in a half-hour, or do you do such meticulous research that it could take days?

If you’re writing to make money, your fees should reflect the fact that your computer desk is now your office and you don’t have health insurance.  You also need to realize that entry-level positions don’t pay as much as the top dogs get; however, you are still worth what buyers pay your peers.

GET THE FIGURES
Some writers charge exorbitant fees, while others sell their words for a pittance.  Don’t be either of those people!

The following prices are somewhat average in the United States; you should consider raising or lowering them by around 20% based on your experience, the time you will spend on the work and any other factors which affect your writing.  Additionally, be aware of the fact that you will have to be flexible - your price should include at least one revision (preferably two) in case the publisher isn't thrilled with it.  Also, remember that you can – and sometimes should – turn down work.

WEB CONTENT (“About Us” pages, “FAQ” and everything in between), which is usually between 200 and 400 words and is intended to engage the reader, should cost the buyer an average of $50-$75 a page.  Again, if your experience is toward one end of the spectrum, your pricing should reflect that.

ARTICLE WRITING for Web sites which is different from simple content (either it requires extra research, interviews or other add-ons) can be rated

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