62: 5 Best Strategies to Price Yourself (Freelance Writing Rates)

62: 5 Best Strategies to Price Yourself (Freelance Writing Rates)

Author: Michael Leonard: Copywriter & Freelance Writing Coach March 4, 2020 Duration: 23:01

In today's episode of writing, Wednesday, we cover exactly how you should price your freelance writing rates even if you're a beginner. 

Once you get freelance writing clients, you need to learn how to actually charge them and what kind of rates to charge them. 

There is not set standard for the freelance writing industry but how you price yourself has a direct impact on:

  • your total income
  • your rate per hour
  • your happiness
If you price yourself to low, you might quickly become jaded and give up on your goal to become a freelance writer or just experience burn out. I don't want you do that! 
 

There are five ways that I like to think about freelance writing rates:

    1. Hourly
      I don't recommend this strategy, unless you really feel passionate about the writing gig and want to get your foot in the door!
    2. Per Word
      I think is one of the best ways to charge as it allows you to scale your income. Most clients are very familiar with this type of content writing rate structure.
    3. Tiered Pricing
      I use this model of freelance writing pricing often. I have 3 packages (tiers): intro, basic and premium and the pay matches the output on my end.
    4. Fixed Rate
      Go into a fixed rate contract carefully. Find out all that will be required of you, how long that will take and determine if the pay outweighs the work put in!
    5. Retainer
      Retainer freelance writing usually applies to more novice writers. In a retainer model, you paid a set amount every week (or two weeks, monthly etc) for a certain amount of deliverables. 

Don't let clients push you around. Go into conversations knowing what your rate is, what you are willing to do at that rate, and they will respect you more and you will actually get paid good money to be a writer.

Listen to these episodes to give you more insight into pricing structure!


Michael Leonard was a professional copywriter earning a solid salary before he walked away from that career in 2017. With no safety net, he built a thriving online writing business from the ground up. In his Inspire Your Success podcast, he gets into the real work behind that transition, moving beyond simple inspiration to offer a practical roadmap. Each conversation is grounded in his experience as a freelance writing coach, focusing on the actionable steps needed to build a sustainable independent career. You’ll hear honest discussions about the mental shifts required to leave a traditional job, the systems that actually generate income, and how to navigate the common pitfalls of entrepreneurship. This isn't about vague motivational talk; it's a detailed look at creating a business that affords more freedom, whether that means paying off debt, traveling, or simply designing a life with more flexibility. Tune in for a blend of strategic business advice and personal development insights, all drawn from Michael’s own journey from a structured 9-5 to successful self-employment. The podcast serves as a direct mentorship for anyone feeling stuck, providing the tangible tools and mindset needed to turn professional aspirations into a working reality.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Inspire Your Success
Podcast Episodes
78 - How to Travel and Make Money Writing (Sean Ogle) - Replay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:11
If you're looking for some inspiration to quit your job and live your dreams, this episode is for YOU! I got to interview Sean Ogle of Location Rebel to learn about his epic journey of entrepreneurship. He started bloggi…
77 - 20 Lessons From Earning $20,000 in 30 Days (Pt. 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:41
In this Writing Wednesday episode, I continue with part 2 of my new 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. During this series, I will talk about the 20 lessons I learned from…
76 - Why Freelance Writing is the #1 Side Hustle for 2020 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
In this Monday with Michael episode, I share why freelance writing is the number one side hustle in 2020 and how you can easily get started! 5 Reasons Freelance Writing is the Best Online Job In 2018, I had to face the h…
74 - 20 Lessons from Earning $20,000 in 30 Days (Pt. I) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
In this Writing Wednesday episode, I am starting a new 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. In this series, I will talk about the 20 lessons I learned from that month. I rec…
73 - How I Overcame Depression as an Entrepreneur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
In this Monday's with Michael interview, I talk about how I overcame depression as an entrepreneur and give you seven actionable mental health tips to keep your well-being in balance. Developing a positive mindset as an…
71: How I Made $20,050 Writing in 30 Days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
How I Had My Best Freelance Writing Month Ever If you can cultivate and develop your writing skills, you can get paid very, very well as a writer. When I quit my nine to five, I had a goal to make $11,000 in one month. I…
70: The Day in the Life of a Freelancer (Is it for you?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:11
In this Monday with Michael episode, I want to take you behind the scenes to discover what a day in the life of a freelancer looks like. If you want to quit your job and work at home, you'll love this one. The More Disci…