What do I charge?
Ah yes. That's the question everyone always wants to know the answer to. In fact - and I sincerely don't want to make this too complicated - I charge three different ways, depending on the project.
Flat fee
This is often the method most clients prefer to pay because we can get away from the nitty gritty of minutes and hours and back to where the value is - my experience. In addition, the client always knows what to expect in advance. No surprises.
By the hour
Sometimes I charge by the hour for ongoing work that doesn't easily fit into a flat fee structure. (At the same time, some clients are more comfortable paying a monthly retainer so we can avoid the unpredictability of hourly billing.) Still, some projects require hourly billing, and for those my general rate is $80/hour. Urgent, last minute work is charged at $90/hour.
By the word
This fee structure is geared towards the newspaper and magazine world for the most part. (Although sometimes newsletter articles fit into this category.) I charge 75 cents to $1.50 per word.
Too rich for my blood!
My rates reflect the industry standard. And this is what clients have told me: My fees are worth it. I save them from sleepless nights worrying that their less talented or less experienced writers won't deliver.
There's one caveat. While I don't offer work on spec, I am willing to offer reduced rates for nonprofit organizations - and some really exciting smaller businesses - if my workload will allow it. Please contact me me if you would like more information.
It's my party
(Now for the small print.) For new clients, I require a PO before starting work. For corporate clients, fifty percent of the project fee is billed at the beginning of the job, payable within 15 days. The remainder is billed 15 days upon delivery of approved final copy. Charges include meetings or conference calls, research, interviewing, transcribing, editing, proofreading and two rewrites. Feedback must be provided to me in writing after each round of review, and adjustments from the original scope of the project may result in additional charges.
Thank you for your interest!
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My background