When it comes to freelancing, everyone has a different threshold for what they will or will not charge for a particular task. There are many cases where individuals have created content and submitted it to a publication to earn some extra money and there are cases where publications have paid upwards of £500 for an article. So, how much should one get paid for writing a particular piece? That is the question. Is it worth it to charge more than someone else? Let’s analyze the key elements that determine the worth of an article and how much money one should be paid for producing it:
The Type Of Content You Are Producing
There are plenty of instances where content is worthless and it usually has something to do with the type of content that was produced. When it comes to academic articles, there is usually a lot of fluff surrounding a few solid facts. The trick is in selecting the right topic for your article. In most cases, the author will try to tackle a topic that has not been previously covered in depth in order to expand their knowledge of the subject matter. Although this might be a good idea from an academic perspective, it does not mean that the content will be worth a lot of money. In most cases, this type of content does not generate a lot of revenue for the publication that publishes it. However, if your topic is extremely relevant and there is a lack of good content on the subject matter, you might be able to generate some interest and sales for your article. Keep in mind that the key is to select a topic that is both relevant and of high demand. When an article on a highly relevant topic is accepted by a publication, the chances are that it will be well-read and potentially have some commercial value. So, be sure to consider the type of content that you are writing before you start pitching your ideas.
The Time You Are Preparing The Content
If there is one thing that all successful content creators have in common, it’s that they are efficient. When it comes to writing for publications, there is usually not a lot of wiggle room for being inefficient. The goal is to pitch as much content as possible and if you are overlooking any part of the process, you are probably hurting your chances of being published. For this reason, it is essential that you work efficiently and be mindful of your time management. In order to create content that is both relevant and of high quality, you need to set aside sufficient time to both research the topic and produce the content. In general, you should not expect to be paid a lot for writing something in a short amount of time. Short articles usually do not have a lot of value because even experienced writers cannot crank out a lot of words in a short amount of time. When you are taking your time and producing content that is of high quality, you are more than likely going to end up charging a higher rate for your services. So, take this into consideration before you begin pitching your ideas.
How Experienced Are You In This Industry?
One of the reasons that academic content does not usually end up being profitable is that experienced writers usually create the content. For this reason, if you are just beginning your career, you might not be able to price yourself high enough to make a living off writing. On the other hand, if you are an experienced writer, you can probably charge more because there is a lack of qualified writers who can produce top-notch content. In cases where an experienced writer creates content for a commercial venture, this usually means that they are in high demand and can usually command a higher rate. So, if you are looking for a way to make money off your writing skills, consider going the commercial route. Even then, you might not be able to pull in the big bucks until you show a track record of success.
How Many Articles Have You Written?
If you are just starting out and have not yet written a single article, it is probably best to choose a topic that is both relevant and easy for you to get exposure to. Once you have established your reputation as an efficient and talented writer, you can begin to look for more complex topics that you can delve into. Even then, though, it might not be wise to choose a topic that you have not yet touched upon because there is a good chance that you will not be able to offer the same level of expertise that you can when you have established yourself as an experienced writer. So, be smart about this and pick a topic that you feel confident that you can research and write about successfully.
What Is Your Level Of Experience?
This is another important factor that goes into setting a price for your services. When you are starting out, your level of experience should be considered in terms of how much you are able to produce given your level of capacity. In order to determine how much you should charge, you need to consider all of the factors detailed above and set a price that reflects your capacity and experience. The more you charge, the more you will be able to charge because there will be fewer competitors for the job. This is how the pricing game works and it is something that you need to take into consideration before you begin freelancing.
Now that you are equipped with the basics of writing for profit, it is time to take the next step. As always, be sure to follow the appropriate guidelines and format the content according to the specifications of the publication. With this, you will be on your way to the rewarding world of being a freelance writer.