Four Reasons Why Your Writing Is Worth More

A recurring issue with freelance writers is how much to charge for writing services. Even if you get that worked out, you still have the tricky issue of deciding when it’s time to up your rates. However, there are four good reasons why you should charge more for the work that you do.

Experience And Expertise

If you have specialist knowledge of a subject, then you will write a better informed and researched article than someone who has none. Promote your experience and expertise in writing about certain topics, add a couple of examples and clients will see why they should pay you a bit more rather than cheaping out on someone with less experience.

Degree Of Difficulty

OK, so you don’t have specialist knowledge, but you’re an excellent researcher who will tackle any topic. Make that work for you. Some topics are difficult to research, so if you have to go the extra mile, build that into your project costings. Provided the final product is what the client wants, your fee will be justified.

Speed

Some clients want their writing job yesterday. If you need to change your schedule or work unusually long hours to accommodate their request, then you have the right to charge more. Most clients I have worked with are happy to pay a bit extra to get the job when they want it. Let me make it clear that I always try to fit the job into my normal schedule so that the client pays the usual rate, but occasionally a client asks me to work through the night to finish a job and is happy to pay more.

Cost Of Living

Inflation affects work at home writers as much as anyone else. If you were drawing a paycheque, every so often you would get more money so you could manage the rising cost of everyday items. When you freelance, you have to provide that cost of living increase yourself, by increasing your prices from time to time. Printer ink, paper products and items in your home office all cost more today than they did two years ago, and the same goes for the food you eat. Raising your rates is not only advisable, but essential, and provided you’re reasonable, no-one will object.

What other reasons can you think of for raising your rates?