How Should I Price Packaging Copy?

Hey Susan!

I’m Carrie Hill, a blogger and aspiring copywriter. I’m reaching out on a totally random whim after seeing that you have years of packaging copywriting. I’m hoping you may be willing to offer a little advice to a newbie in the realm. 😉

I recently had the opportunity to write copy (about 150 words) for packaging that will be used on a skincare product sold in-store at Walmart. While I’m ecstatic about the opportunity, I haven’t done this type of work before and have no idea how to charge for a project like this. I was hoping you might be able to point me in some sort of direction.

Again, I know this is such a random ask, and I’m sure you’re especially busy this time of year. I appreciate any advice you may have!

Thanks so much,
Carrie

Hi Carrie,

It’s nice to meet you. With regard to pricing on packaging, the truth is I have some experience in that realm, but not a lot. I’ve written packaging copy for a cosmetics company, a pet pharmaceutical company and a toy company. But in each of those cases, the packaging copy was part of an entire campaign and wasn’t priced individually.

My suggestion would be to estimate how long the copy and interaction with the client will take and then multiply it by an hourly rate in the range of $75 per hour. Then take the number you come up with and ask yourself the following three questions:

1. Is this a fair price for the amount of work required?
2. Am I providing enough value to justify this price?
3. Can the client afford this pricing?

Then adjust accordingly.

One more piece of advice. When I get asked to do a type of job I haven’t done in the past, I worry less about what to charge and more about getting the experience and portfolio samples.

That’s not to say you should underbid. Nobody wants to leave money on the table. But every new job broadens your capabilities and builds your confidence. Perhaps most important is that it has potential to land you more work. If that’s the case, you might want to price this job so that you’re sure the client hires you. If you get future packaging copy projects, you’ll make back any “discount” from this first project many times over.

Hope that helps.

Susan Greene

Professional Copywriter

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my email! I truly appreciate it, as well as the advice given. You’re absolutely right about the experience and portfolio-building. I’ll keep that wisdom in mind moving forward.

Carrie

Once I’d written copy for a company that does waterproofing at construction sites, I was able to land other clients in that industry.

Hi Carrie,