How to Price a Copywriting Project

Spend some time calculating the various components involved in a copywriting project before quoting a price rather than providing a number off the top of your head, even if it means telling the client, “I’ll have to get back to you with a proposal.”

You’ve been approached by a prospective client who has a copywriting project he needs done.  You know you’re capable of doing the work, but first you have to provide a proposal that spells out the project’s parameters and my price.  After all, no client is going to give a vendor a blank check.

For many copywriters, coming up with an accurate number is often the most difficult part of the job. You’d think it would be a simple matter of estimating how many hours you’ll spend on the copy and multiplying it by your hourly rate, but it’s not that cut and dry.

1. Research

Prior to writing, you’ll need to learn about the client’s business and their products or services. You’ll want to see their other promotional tools and anything that has contributed to creating their brand. You’ll also want to study the competition so you can assess your client’s positioning in the market.

2. Meetings

In-person meetings can consume a lot of time, especially if you factor in travel time. For a single project, often a phone call or Skype session will suffice. If the client is not in your local area, an in-person meeting should be out of the question unless the project is substantial or is one of many projects you’ll be doing for the client.

3. Emails

Some clients need a lot more hand-holding than others. The back-and-forth emails related to the project or the bigger picture of marketing can become a virtual project in themselves.

4. Creativity

Clients want clever, effective copy. If it was as easy as simply stringing together a grammatically correct sentence, clients would do it themselves. Instead, they’re paying for your creativity. Regardless of how talented you may be, the process of brainstorming and idea development takes time.

5. Interaction with Other Professionals

In most cases, copy doesn’t stand alone. If it’s going on a website, you’ll likely interact with the web designer and the web developer (programmer). If the copy is for a brochure, a graphic designer is sure to be involved. Cooperating with other professionals helps create a better quality product with a cohesive message, but it can add to your involvement in the project.

6. Revisions

Whenever you write copy, especially for a new client, expect to have to do some revisions. After all, you’re no mind reader, and developing good copy is often an evolutionary process that involves collaboration between the client who intimately knows his business, and you, the professional copywriter.

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