Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Alright, a per-page price. Does that vary in any way? You say you`re using a "base price," so what other factors cause you to increase the price? The base price already brings into consideration per-word, and potential research.

Well, Craig,

There are a few other factors that will make me increase my price.  For example, if the client wants the job done immediately.  This means that I have to place his job above others that would be alright to place on the back burner.  I will increase my price for that, and the type of writing.  I will charge a bit more for press releases, sales letters, and speeches as they will always have to be a bit more creative.  With the first two you have to sell the stuffing out of something without making it seem like you are.

Good stuff....thank you. :-) This is starting to make sense to me, now. 

That`s a good question, Craig. Let me see if I can answer it to your satisfaction.

Because I`ve written so many salesletters, articles and press releases over the last 20 years,  I already know in advance exactly how long it`s going to take me to complete most projects. As a result, I charge a flat rate fee for virtually everything I write.

For example, I charge a flat rate fee of $3500 to write a salesletter, because salesletters take me on average about 14 days to write. I`ve learned from past experience that I won`t be short-changing myself by charging this amount.

Is this amount set in stone? Absolutely not. As a matter of fairness to both  myself and the client, I still maintain flexibilty regarding my fee, because some projects are much harder than others and some are much easier.

For example, I just completed a salesletter for a company that publishes Sudoku puzzles e-books. I consulted with the company beforehand about the project, and determined that because they had done so much prior research, it really made my job a lot easier.

As a result, I was actually able to write their salesletter in only a day or two, so I only charged them $2500 instead of my usual $3500 fee.

Regarding articles and press releases, I won`t consider writing anything for less than $100, and often charge considerably more - depending on the topic and the amount of time and research involved.

One more thing: I always collect payment in full before accepting any project. It eliminates a ton of headaches!

Dale King

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hype, lies and scams...read this!
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Well, the prices do vary.

I understand that all of you are probably excellent writers, but back to the question about website content...Wouldn`t you agree that writing website content, is different than writing sales letters and other material?

Also, all of you say you charge so much per....  What if the customer didn`t like your finished piece?  Do you rewrite it then, without additional charges?

No, I wouldn`t agree with that.

Virtually everything you publish on your website counts as content, in one way or another.

Regarding rewrites, I`ll  do two rewrites at no charge to the client.

However, I make it clear, in no uncertain terms, that there are absolutely no refunds for any of my writing services.

Dale King

-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!

 

What I will typically do is one rewrite to clear up any issues the client has with the article.  I don`t really ever get clients that have issues - that is not tooting my own horn, it`s just that I`ve had clients which I mesh really well with, so I pretty much know exactly how they want it.

Sales letters are absolutely different from web content in my view.  With sales letters you have to sell things to people without putting them on the defensive.  What do you and I do when we see writing which is obviously wanting to sell us something?  We click off of it.  So the real talent and trick comes into play here.  You want the potential customers to be nodding their heads along with what they`re reading.  It`s much harder, and I always charge more for this than typical writing.

From the prices, you`re saying a sales letter is apparently totally different from other types of writing. I`m confused. Why is it worth so much more?

Also, do clients ordinarily expect to pay the whole amount up front? How do you handle satisfaction "issues" with them? I was thinking 50% down, but I could see full amount then 1 or 2 rewrites. Even so...what if they just don`t at all like the result (based on their own whatever reasons)?

I don`t see writing for the Web as any different at all. Instead of using paper pages, the content goes on electronic pages. The only possible exception is that because of the Web being searchable, content could end up being seen by people who wouldn`t ordinarily see written material except under very unusual circumstances.

I did this with the SEO stuff, where I submitted a "draft," and offered 1 fundamental or total rewrite, and 3 minor revisions. That seemed to work well, and I never needed to do any revisions.

As for "without putting people on the defensive," are you saying that in other forms of sales, it`s customary to put people on the defensive? I`m not sure I get the distinction here.