Copywriting rates and prices
How much does a copywriter cost? The honest answer is that it depends on the brief.
Every project is different, so I quote each one individually. I’m not the cheapest freelance copywriter, and certainly not the most expensive. Rest assured, you won’t be subsidising plush offices, a fast car or a champagne lifestyle. Once I understand what you need, I’ll give you a clear, fixed price before I start.
Why I don’t charge by the word
Quite simply, because some words are worth more than others. Words should be weighed, not counted.
Sometimes I can hammer out a page of copy in a couple of hours. At other times, I can spend days agonising over a single strapline. If you employed a builder, would you ask whether they charged by the brick?
Charging by the word also rewards the wrong thing. The aim should be to use as many words as the job needs, not as many as I can persuade you to pay for.
What affects the price
The price of a copywriting project depends on factors such as:
- how complex the subject is;
- how much research and reading is involved;
- whether interviews are needed;
- the length and number of pieces;
- the timescale; and
- what the copy needs to achieve.
A straightforward blog article or sales page might take a couple of days. A complete website could take several weeks. Larger projects involving substantial research, interviews or multiple stakeholders will take longer, and the fee reflects that.
If something is genuinely urgent, I may be able to prioritise it for an additional rush fee.
What’s included in my fee
Unless we agree otherwise, my fee covers:
- the consultation and briefing;
- agreed research and reading;
- writing the copy; and
- two rounds of reasonable revisions.
Anything outside the agreed scope – substantial changes to the brief, additional deliverables or extensive further revisions, for example – may cost extra. If that happens, I’ll tell you before doing the additional work. There shouldn’t be any nasty surprises when the invoice arrives.
Deposits and payment
If we haven’t worked together before, I normally ask for a 50% deposit before starting the first project. For larger or longer projects, we may agree staged payments instead.
Once you’re happy with the final version, I send my invoice for the remainder of the fee, payable within 30 days. I provide a copy of my terms and conditions with every quotation, so you know exactly what we’ve both agreed before work starts.
Freelance copywriter or agency?
I’m cheaper than an agency and cost less than most senior freelance copywriters. You pay for the words, not for plush offices, a luxury car or a limitless expense account.
There’s no account manager or junior copywriter either. You deal directly with me, from the first conversation to the final word on the page. Here’s why clients choose me.
Get a clear price for your project
Tell me what you need, who it’s for and when you need it. A detailed written brief is useful but not compulsory. If all you have is a collection of half-formed thoughts, part of my job is asking the questions that turn them into a workable brief.
You can see the full range of copywriting services I offer, examples in my portfolio, and answers to other common questions in my copywriting FAQs.