So you’ve decided to become a freelance copywriter, and you’re wondering just how much you should be charging per article. As with many other industries, freelancing is a niche that is growing, with many people turning to the Internet to find work. Being a freelance copywriter is a great opportunity for honing your craft, meeting new people, and making a decent chunk of change! But what should your rate be? How much should you charge per word? There are several factors to consider, so let’s dive in.
The Purpose Of Your Content
The very first thing you should determine is the purpose of the content you will be creating. What is the end goal of your copy? Is it to generate leads? Is it to educate your audience about a particular topic? Is it to encourage them to make a purchase? The answer to these questions will impact how much you should be charging. If you want to secure new clients, you will have to work harder to convince them your services are worth what you’re asking for.
The Type Of Content You Can Produce
Not sure what type of content you should be creating? Don’t worry, it’s a common question and there are several proven methods for answering it. One of the best and most popular methods is to identify the buyer’s persona and the type of content they want to consume.
In most cases, business people will turn to the Internet to find information and research about a particular product or service. As a result, you can bet that they’re searching for the best copywriters, preferably those that are specialized in B2C marketing.
If you fit the bill, there’s a good chance you’ll secure a few clients for life. For the sake of argument, let’s say that you’ve already secured one client and you’re currently working with them. In that case, you can rest assured that you can continue charging what you’re used to charging and the client will not be concerned about the cost of your services.
How Much Should You Charge For An Article?
The length of your article will have a bearing on how much you should be charging. If you’ve written a few articles for other publications and you’re a bit of a seasoned professional, you can negotiate a higher rate per word. Otherwise, you’ll have to settle for whatever you can get.
But even then, don’t expect to make a fortune. Remember, this is a source of income, not a career. Your earnings will not be good unless you continue securing new clients, otherwise known as the “busy-ness” of your work. If you want to make a decent living as a copywriter, you’ll have to put in the legwork to find a steady stream of paying clients.
Who Is Your Audience?
It is important to consider who your audience is and what they want. You won’t be able to communicate effectively with your copy if you don’t know who it is you’re writing for.
If you’re not sure who your audience is, you can always ask friends and family members who know them. However, it’s also important to consider how much they know about your industry and the products or services you’re promoting. If you’re not sure, take a little bit of both and go with what you think might work best.
The Competition
You don’t want to be working in a competitive environment, so it’s important to consider the type of content the competition is producing and whether or not you’ll be able to outperform them.
Just because some companies are paying hefty sums for top-notch content, doesn’t mean that you have to settle for second best. There are several tactics you can use to increase your output and secure more lucrative contracts. You can create compelling content that will engage and educate your audience. Additionally, you can promote yourself as a subject matter expert and author of articles that are just like those the competition is using. All of this adds up to more clients and, hopefully, increased profits.
What’s Your Opinion On Different Themes?
There are several types of content production that pay well. Some of the more popular ones are:
- Product reviews.
- Analyses of market trends.
- Comparisons between competing products.
- How-to guides.
- And the list goes on.
If you’re not sure which type of content to pursue, consider the one that will generate the most leads for your business. For example, if you’re promoting a business that provides party supplies, product reviews are a great way to attract customers. The analysis type of content and how-to guides are popular options as well since they give the reader an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.
Keep in mind that your freelance writing will have to conform to SEO best practices, so don’t rush into putting out lackluster content. Take the time to craft engaging copy that will attract and retain customers.
Where Can I Find Clients?
As mentioned, the Internet is a popular place to find clients for freelance writers. However, it’s not the only option. Your potential clients are all around you, so make sure that you’re putting out the right message to capture the attention of those who are reading your copy.
There are several places you can find clients, including:
- LinkedIn.
- Word of mouth.
- Craigslist.
- Social media.
- And the list goes on.
You can also create compelling content that will attract the attention of those who are reading your articles. In many cases, the work you’ll be doing will be for businesses that are looking to inject some new life into their websites or social media pages. As a result, you’ll be writing copy for mostly B2C companies. But that’s okay, there are several B2C companies out there looking for top-notch content creators and you can bet they’ll be paying well!
What Equipment Do I Need To Become A Copywriter?
Besides a good laptop, a tablet or a smartphone, you’ll need a reliable internet connection to perform your freelance writing. Having a fast internet connection is great, but you’ll also want to consider how you’re going to pay for it. Many carriers offer “free” Wi-Fi to customers, which can be frustrating for those who are paying for data plans. If you’re looking for a new way to make money, consider signing up for a broadband wifi connection that doesn’t affect your monthly data allotment.
You’ll also need a microphone to record voice-overs and a good pair of headphones to listen to your playback. If you’re doing product reviews, you’ll also want to invest in a small review sample pack, which will assist you in finding the best products to test.
Other equipment you may need include a desk or an area to work comfortably, a space to store your work, a cup of tea, and maybe even a snack.
How Do I Get People To Read My Copy?
The absolute most basic and important rule of freelance writing is to get people to read your copy. Simply put, if you want to make money, you have to get people to come to your website or social media pages to read what you’ve written. There are several proven ways to do this, so make sure that you’re using one of them. A good place to start is by securing high-quality backlinks. You can do this through article marketing, guest blogging, or purchasing a backlink pack. These are all considered “off-page” SEO tactics, which work to increase your rankings in the major search engines.
The only way to find out what tactics will work for you is by trying them all. Some will produce fantastic results and propel your site or social media page to the top of the search results while others may do nothing at all. The key is to find the ones that work best for your unique situation.
Now, you may be wondering where you should start when looking for clients. One of the best places to find prospective clients is through online directories. Two of the most popular and trusted directories for finding clients are: