Need some feedback on rates (per page)

[dahmnait]

I have been thinking of starting a business offering editing, business writing, and technical writing. I currently have placed my focus on getting a contract position rather than think about starting a business. However, today a potential client requested that I place a bid for some editing and technical writing work. So now I have to think about rates.

I have done some research, and have come up with rates for the different services. I would really appreciate any feedback on these. Am I too high, too low, etc? I feel like I am missing something, but I can't think of what. I am still working on rates for research and business/technical writing. I think that I will spec those out according to job type and complexity.


Pricing chart:

Proofreading: $2.00/page

Copy Editing: $2.50/page

Extensive editing/rewriting: $3.00/page

Typing (with editing): $3.00/page double spaced
$4.00/page single spaced

Typing (without editing): $1.50/page double spaced
$2.50/page single spaced

Typing without editing will include minor edits if needed. If the client wants me to check for readability and rewrite as I go, or if the document I am typing has major editing issues, then it would fall under the typing with editing. I need to break it apart since one of the jobs I will be bidding on involves an HR manual that is only partially typed. It will also include a rewrite since the previous person working on it clipped portions of various HR policy guides (from the web) and just threw them all together. I don’t know how much editing she completed on the typed portion.

This is a great opportunity for me to start a client base since the potential for further work is high. They have an extensive product base and have a few new products coming out soon. I want to make a good impression, but I don't want to sell myself short.

Again, I will appreciate any words of wisdom.

Thank you.

[Dominique]

I've just done a few press releases as a independent contractor, and I've usually charged a per job price rather than a per page price.

However, you might try checking out this copyediting listserv

http://www.copyediting-l.info/

I'm on no mail there at the moment. Its traffic is relatively high-volume, so I get off for a while when I've got assignments or I've been extra busy at my "day job"--but there are many working copyeditors and proofreaders with lots of valuable chatter there. I know they've discussed pricing issues in the past for copyediting, proofing, writing and indexing...so you might find some more specific info there.

[Good Word]

Dahmnait, what is your background and what geographic area are you in? Also, what markets are you going to go after?

I do some business and technical editing, and would never quote a page price for that. I quote an hourly rate and give an estimate, with a maximum. I'll look at a sample of what needs to be done and say, okay, for this work I can do about 10 pages per hour and then tell them what my hourly rate is times the page count, so they have a solid estimate. Also, if I were to go through an agency that places people in these types of positions, in corporate markets, they would never quote a per page rate. For corporate markets, an agency would negotiate an hourly rate for the technical writer/editor.

A freelancer might do a flat rate for writing an article. I just did a trade journal article for a company that pays a flat rate for articles, so that was a different kind of thing. But I don't think that's what your talking about.

Some fiction editors charge by the page, some by the whole manuscript, some by the hour.

Can you share a little more info, so folks might be able to help you better?

[CaroGirl]

I'm a contract technical writer and editor in the software industry. I currently charge a per diem rate, and in the past have charged per hour. I have a friend who charges per project, and that rate is based on time and level of expertise required. I haven't heard of technical or business writers billing per page so I wouldn't know what to say about that. My per diem is generally about $260 to $310 (Canadian).

[dahmnait]

Thank you for all the replies. I actually feel more comfortable charging a per hour rate, but my research kept coming back with per page pricing. I have always worked at an hourly rate and I know that the corporate market negotiates contract work on an hourly basis. From the research, it just seemed that for a business the way to go was per page. It helps to hear of other people charging per hour.

Where I live (Northern California Central Valley area), the going rate for a contracted technical writer with my experience is $30.00 per hour. I figured that would base my pay for outside work on this rate, at least for this particular bid. For the editing pricing, I broke down $30.00/hour to an estimated per page rate.

As for my area of expertise, I have experience documenting every step of the software development lifecycle. However, my preference is end-user documentation, on the level of software and product user manuals. Additionally, I can write and edit just about any type of business documentation/correspondence. There are a few areas where I don't have as much experience, e.g., business plans and copy writing. I am not going to market myself for those until I get more experience.

I am still feeling out the concept of starting a business. Currently, I'm researching the market and I am not sure it will be viable on a stand-alone basis. I will probably use the business in addition to contract work. I'm not sold on the idea of pricing per page, especially with the feedback here. I can scrap per page and go strictly to an hourly rate with no problems.

At least I have not received the information on the projected work yet. So, I still have a few days to work out my rate information before quoting. These responses are helping me a great deal towards formulating my plan.

I hope this clarifies what I am trying to do here. Thank you again for all the help.

[john5643]

They don't take into account whether a page has 200 words or 500 words, which obviously would make a difference in the amount of time it takes you to complete. I'd recommend doubling or tripling your rate, if the market would bear it. Otherwise, I'd stick to an hourly rate -- and increase it significantly from your $30 per hour current rate. You're worth more than that, and your customers know it.

[wanderson]

Hi,

I have a home based business that offers administrative services, i.e. word processing, editing/revising, proofreading. I think your rates are on the low side (mine are on the low side and I charge more than your quotes). For typing--single space is $7, double is $5; proofreading, editing, research, etc is an hourly rate of $40. Your hourly rate should be based on your experience and expertise; it go anywhere from $10/hr. to $150 or higher. Check the market to see what others are charging and getting. Good luck!
Wendy

[dahmnait]

Thank you for your replies John and Wendy. Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I'm jumping through hoops trying to get everything settled with my last job. Oh, I just love tax season.

The one thing I didn't take into consideration while working out my fees was that the contracted amount of $30.00/hour is through recruiters. That means their client is actually paying more. I did quote my potential client (wish me luck, we meet Wednesday) a $40.00/hour rate. I am sacrificing a bit in the way of pay in order to start a client base. The contacts this company has, and the potential for a variety of work through them, justifies the lower rate for me. I will have to let them know that they are getting in at a lower pay rate in a way that doesn't look like I am desperate for work. I'll have to work out how to do that so they don't quote potential clients what I am charging. I probably won't say anything until after I have signed a contract and completed some work for them.

I still have to revisit the hourly rate to come up with something that is fair to me. There doesn't seem to be many local companies that offer the services I offer. Most of the writing companies in town focus on marketing or resume writing. It may just be that they are not advertising well, sticking mostly to word of mouth. Either way, it leaves a potential market open for me. I found a few writing services in the yellow pages and I will be calling them for rate information. That will help me get an idea of what the going rate is in this area.

This has been an interesting process and I appreciate all the feedback on this thread. The more research I conduct, the more determined I am to make this business work.

[john5643]

If you haven't come it across already, check out Peter Bowerman's "The Well Fed Writer." It's been an enormous help to me as a freelance commercial writer, both in terms of offering concrete tips and to-do's as well as just providing an overall sense of "you can do it" confidence and reassurance. I know it's difficult to set rates sometimes; you can't ever know with absolute certainty what the "going rate" is without canvassing hundreds of people -- who may or may not be candid about what they charge. Find someone you trust locally who can offer good guidance on that, is my best advice. And then add $10 to $15 to that.

[dahmnait]

Thank you for the tips. I have not run across the book. I'm going to have to look into it, especially since I have my first client. If I wasn't so tired I would be celebrating right now.

[JuliePgh]

I am a freelance copywriter, and I have to say there is no one set rule, even for my clients. I may go hourly, or flat fee. It depends on the client, their preferences and the scope of the project. I don't discuss rates with a client in an initial cover letter, unless their ad requests that information, nor do I list rates on my website. And if a client wants to go hourly, I use the same hourly rate for that client, regardless of whether it's a brochure, website, or press release I'm doing. If a client wants a flat fee, then I ask questions such as the number of pages, target audience, type of material, etc. I work up an estimate in my mind and quote accordingly. I always stay flexible with the client, saying that while I prefer working on an hourly, I'm happy to work on a flat fee basis. I have one client for which I do both, setting flat fee for brochures and websites and hourly for letters of any type, but I don't differentiate between sales letters, followup letters, email letters, etc.

Both hourly and flat fee have their advantages/disadvantages. With an hourly, you're paid for every minute you put into it, but you also really have to watch how much time you're billing and keep the client's budget in mind without necessarily KNOWING his budget AND you still have to provide the best product possible. So you may find yourself cutting your tab, if you go over what you led the client to believe it might run. As for a fixed fee, you may end up spending much more time than anticipated and shortchange yourself that way. On the other hand, the client knows what he's getting and isn't surprised by anything.

It's a juggling act, but I've never had a problem. Getting to know your clients and how efficient you are (or aren't) is key, and both will improve over time with experience, both from the accounting and writing end of the business.

[dahmnait]

Thank you Julie.

I think being flexible is the way I am going to go. I finished the first phase of my first project, and I will be raising my hourly rate (although, not for this client). I found that I quoted too low for my time and I didn't realize how much I depended on knowing the style of writing I have been editing in the past. I'm not going to bill them for the extra time. I am just glad that I only had the specs for this part of the project. It is all part of the learning process.

In the last business I was in, we did a flat hourly rate and quoted hours. After eleven years, I knew how long it would take to develop an application. It is hard starting from scratch again. I have a ways to go, but I will get there.

Thank you so much for your input. It is a big help.

[JuliePgh]

I'm now facing the challenge of quoting a fixed price for a client I've always done work for hourly. He wants me to edit a book, and I fear I'll overcharge him if I go hourly, because it may take more hours than he expects. But if I quote a flat rate, I may charge too low for how much time it will take. A friend told me to quote a per word rate, which I find comes out to a high amount (possibly unrealistically high) given the size of the book.

I think I may do a chapter or two to get an idea of how long it takes me and then have a more realistic discussion with my client about the time involved. I don't usually do things on spec, but he's very fair about everything and I want to be just as fair in my pricing to him. Has anyone ever taken this approach?

Also, does anyone have ballpark ranges for total cost for editing a book, say around 40,000 words? I know this is an unfair question with a lot of variables, but I'm wondering what high and low ends may be "realistic". Thanks!

[SumthinInnocuous]

I don't think it's a good idea to charge per page on technical writing (especially for.. uh... technical subjects and projects.) You'll find the scope of the job changing and a de-scope will increase your work, believe it or not. If you are charging by page, well then, you lose money but have twice the work.

[dahmnait]

Also, does anyone have ballpark ranges for total cost for editing a book, say around 40,000 words? I know this is an unfair question with a lot of variables, but I'm wondering what high and low ends may be "realistic". Thanks!

Julie,

How did it go?


I don't think it's a good idea to charge per page on technical writing (especially for.. uh... technical subjects and projects.) You'll find the scope of the job changing and a de-scope will increase your work, believe it or not. If you are charging by page, well then, you lose money but have twice the work.

I am finding that happening a bit. At least with the hourly I can discuss the implications as the client and/or project changes scope.

[dahmnait]

.I haven't heard yet. I'm starting to think that's because I suggested too high a price. But this is a regular client of mine from whom I continue to receive work, so I'm guessing he hasn't gotten around to reviewing my proposal in detail and will do so eventually. I won't push him, but in a few weeks I'll casually mention it.

I took an honest approach with him, about how I derived the number and I included two chapters redone along with how long each took. I edited one technical and one non-technical so he could see the difference in time required. He may think I'm off my rocker for the amount suggested, but at least there's no reason he'll be upset with me as I was totally honest with him, etc. So, in the end, if I lost this one project, or have to negotiate it, at least I've protected my relationship with my client for ongoing work.

[dahmnait]

These were the most recent posts I could find in cached threads. If anyone has more, please post them. There were at least 3 more posts following this Julie's.

[editingisme]

i really can't recommend anything that hasn't already been stated. i think it all depends on whether your current contract/assignment is repeat business, or new business, and how you feel your rate may impact future business, or perceptions. the moderator collected a few posts on rates, here is what i found on the inet. hope this helps..

Commercial Freelance Writing Project Fee Estimates:


Full-page ad (7 x 10 inches):
$750-$3,000 USD.

Fractional-page ad:
$250-$1,000 USD.

Advertorial:
$650-$1,000 USD per printed page.

Annual Report:
$3,000-$12,000 USD.

Feature article:
$1,000-$3,500 USD.

Book, ghostwritten:
50% of advance and royalties or $125-$175 USD per book page.

Book proposal:
$2,000-$3,500 USD.

Booklet:
$800-$2,500 USD.

Brochure (7 x 10 inches):
$200-$750 USD per page.

Brochure, “slim jim” (to fit rack display or no. 10 envelope):
$650-$2,000 USD.

Business plan:
$3,000-$10,000 USD.

Case history:
$750-$2,000 USD.

Catalog:
$300-$600 USD per page (or $40-$150 USD per item).

Direct-mail package, to generate leads:
$1,500-$4,500 USD.

Direct-mail package, mail order:
$2,500-$10,000 USD and up.

Magalog (direct-mail piece in magazine format):
$9,500-$15,000 USD.

Video, slid presentation, or other audiovisual script:
$100-$300 USD per minute.

Instruction manual:
$35-$95 USD per hour or $100-$150 USD per page.

Labels/packaging:
$250-$1,500 USD per package or label, depending or size.

Computer-based marketing documents:
Approximately $1 USD per word or $250-$450 USD per manuscript page.

Newsletter:
$300-$750 USD per page.

Press release:
$200-$800 USD per page.

Proposal (business or grant):
$35-$85 USD per hour.

Radio commercial:
$400-$700 USD.

Report:
$25-$85 USD per hour.

Sales letter
$25-$85 USD per hour.

Speech, 20 minute:
$1,500-$4,000 USD.

Technical, scholarly, and scientific papers:
$25-$75 USD per hour.

TV commercial:
$500-$2,000 USD.

Infomercial (half-hour):
$3,000-$10,000 USD.

Web site content:
$400-$600 USD per Web page.

White paper:
$3,000-$4,000 USD.

CD-ROM presentation:
$100-$250 USD per minute.

Day rates (per diem) for freelance writing services:
$250-$2,000 USD per minute.

Hourly rate for freelance writers:
$35-$150+ USD.

Resumes:
$100-$200 USD.




See reference: Bly, Robert. Secrets of a Freelance Writer. Appendix E: Typical Fees for Commercial Freelance Writing Projects.

[dahmnait]

Thanks for the list. That will come in handy.

[SWDetroit]

A semiconductor manufacturer last year offered me a telecommuting contract for technical editing/minor rewriting at $35/hour for six months ($1400/week). I was hired to help out while they unbranded a wholly-owned subsidiary and incorporated it into the parent corporation. It was my first foray into technical writing/editing or any other publishing area, for that matter.

[dahmnait]

Since this was your first foray into the technical writing/editing field, I am curious what you thought of it. Are you still in the field?

[K-Mark]

What about definitions for technical terms? I have a contact pricing the cost for 40-50 word definitions. How would you charge? Per def? Per page? Per time?

Thanks

[SWDetroit]

I still do technical editing in embedded microprocessors, but not at this time.

I was referred to do some technical editing for a research arm of a DC lobby by another technical editor who chose an R&R vacation instead. So, after three weeks, out of the blue, I was asked by the lobby if I would edit about 110 pages of text with 1 1/2 spacing and check for accuracy and copyediting the captions and innards for 30 figures and about twenty tables. Also, this particular study was meant for their Canadian counterpart, so Canadian English was needed.

They were going to send out a PO for my editing and asked what I might want for the entire project, or by page, or by hour. Not knowing what the prevailing hourly rate was, I did the project w/o settling any costing details other than telling them it would be done on an hourly basis.

The project was completed and billed out at ~23 hours. However, I did not give them the hourly rate. In order to get a feel for that market, I told them to insert their own hourly rate. This entails some gambling, but I was not worried about not getting paid because (1) it is a major, well-known, established lobby and (2) they were willing to pay me in advance, if I so chose that.

Anyway, they set the rate, and it was quite acceptable to me, being $5/hr more than my usual rate. This way I got to get a feel on what the prevailing DC hourly rate probably was.

Yesterday, their research director emailed me stating that the work was excellent and asked me if I would do two more shorter projects due by 9 October and if I would care to do 17 or 18 others, which would be due in about seven weeks.

I was emailed the two studies three hours ago, along with special directives. He asked me to make some editorial decisions for the remaining studies yet unwritten because they will be done by separate writers and they wanted some continuity among them.

As I generally work by night, I'll be set to go in a bit. The previous hourly rate is OK for these, BTW.

[Tsu Dho Nimh]

Tammy -
A lot depends on who has to find the information. If you are handed the graphics, the specs, and the templates and told "make me a brochure" the talent required is a lot less than if you have to do the research and graphics yuorself.

As a contractor (agency finds jobs and collect money) I get $25-35 an hour or more.

[acousticgroupie]

on my writing site i have a business page with a link to the writers market recommendations.

but as a beginner, i couldn't charge people such high rates. so i've worked up to what i think i deserve. yes, you can make tons of money as a copywriter if you do it right, but i think at the end of the day it's best not to rip people off. that said you have to charge what you're worth--a tough balance.

i bill jobs depending on what the client gives me. do i get background material? do i have to travel/interview them to get what i need to even begin writing?

for starting, i charged lower to build clips and get experience. i think the writersmarket page gives good advice, and has a low-med-high range to help:)