sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question

CopyFitz · 04-24-2009, 01:55 PM

I am an experienced copywriter -- but not an experienced freelancer. All the freelance work I've done in the past has been for people I already had a relationship with. No quotations or proposals needs.

My full-time job was just eliminated, though, and I'm trying to find some freelance -- either to tide me over until I find something full-time, or if it goes well, to build my own business.

I have no idea how to present a quotation, what should be in it, etc. Also, although I have a better idea of what to charge an established company, I really don't know what to charge a small company made up of just a few or even one person who needs their website revised. For instance, I revised a website for a photographer. It wasn't writing from scratch, but things definitely needed to be re-organized and revised. I have another "friend of a friend" who needs something similar now. Do I quote an hourly rate? A rate for the whole job? I'm thinking of $25-35 an hour -- since they are a small business and it's just revisions. Normally, I'd charge based on a rate more like $50-75 an hour -- for writing from scratch, for an established business, etc.

So -- does this rate seem reasonable? And any help with finding form templates? Thank you!

Darrel Hawes · 04-24-2009, 10:24 PM

Bob Bly's:

Copywriter?s Toolkit; A Ready-to use Copywriting Forms, Checklist, Model Contracts, Boiler agreements and Sales Letters

Probably not perfect, but if you're starting from zero as a freelancer, it may help.

Christie Love · 04-25-2009, 12:58 AM

This site should help you distinguish rates. Most copywriters I know charge a set fee, not by the hour. Just a thought. Here you are. Freelance Copywriter Rates Explained at CopywriterInfo.com

MikeHumphreys · 11-29-2009, 08:43 AM

Steve Slaunwhite's book has some nice forms in it that make it a bargain at under $20. Here's a link to it on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Start & Run a Copywriting Business...
In terms of what to quote... what do you want to make per project? What are your clients willing to pay? That should dictate what you quote.

Simplest way to figure out what you want to divide your quoted fee for a sales letter by the amount of time it takes to write it. That's your quoted hourly fee.

I recommend quoting by the project and quote based on the amount of time you believe you'll need to complete the project multiplied by your hourly rate.

If it's of interest to you, I created a spreadsheet to calculate this stuff for you quickly that is part of my Secrets of Marketing Your Copy product and my Market Your Copy membership site. The spreadsheet makes it really easy to work up quotes on a variety of bid types.

Hope that helps,

Mike

DougHughes · 11-29-2009, 03:09 PM

I agree with Darrel and Mike and have used those same forms from Steve Slaunwhite's book and Bob Bly's Copywriter's Toolkit with some modification for my services. Bob's fee schedule was especially helpful.

04-24-2009, 01:55 PM	#1
CopyFitz Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question I am an experienced copywriter -- but not an experienced freelancer. All the freelance work I've done in the past has been for people I already had a relationship with. No quotations or proposals needs. My full-time job was just eliminated, though, and I'm trying to find some freelance -- either to tide me over until I find something full-time, or if it goes well, to build my own business. I have no idea how to present a quotation, what should be in it, etc. Also, although I have a better idea of what to charge an established company, I really don't know what to charge a small company made up of just a few or even one person who needs their website revised. For instance, I revised a website for a photographer. It wasn't writing from scratch, but things definitely needed to be re-organized and revised. I have another "friend of a friend" who needs something similar now. Do I quote an hourly rate? A rate for the whole job? I'm thinking of $25-35 an hour -- since they are a small business and it's just revisions. Normally, I'd charge based on a rate more like $50-75 an hour -- for writing from scratch, for an established business, etc. So -- does this rate seem reasonable? And any help with finding form templates? Thank you!

04-24-2009, 10:24 PM	#2
Darrel Hawes Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 550 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 216 Thanked 54 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question Bob Bly's: Copywriter?s Toolkit; A Ready-to use Copywriting Forms, Checklist, Model Contracts, Boiler agreements and Sales Letters Probably not perfect, but if you're starting from zero as a freelancer, it may help.
	Darrel Hawes - Blog -- My interview with Ray Edwards Domains For Sale - ForexTrainingVault.com - MBAInterviewTips.com - OpenACoffeeShopNow.com

04-25-2009, 12:58 AM	#3
Christie Love The Fabulous One War Room Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 930 Thanks: 11 Thanked 79 Times in 68 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question This site should help you distinguish rates. Most copywriters I know charge a set fee, not by the hour. Just a thought. Here you are. Freelance Copywriter Rates Explained at CopywriterInfo.com
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11-29-2009, 08:43 AM	#4
MikeHumphreys Copywriter and Marketer War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Philly Suburbs, USA Posts: 2,785 Thanks: 787 Thanked 696 Times in 373 Posts Social Networking	Re: sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question Steve Slaunwhite's book has some nice forms in it that make it a bargain at under $20. Here's a link to it on Amazon: Amazon.com: Start & Run a Copywriting Business... In terms of what to quote... what do you want to make per project? What are your clients willing to pay? That should dictate what you quote. Simplest way to figure out what you want to divide your quoted fee for a sales letter by the amount of time it takes to write it. That's your quoted hourly fee. I recommend quoting by the project and quote based on the amount of time you believe you'll need to complete the project multiplied by your hourly rate. If it's of interest to you, I created a spreadsheet to calculate this stuff for you quickly that is part of my Secrets of Marketing Your Copy product and my Market Your Copy membership site. The spreadsheet makes it really easy to work up quotes on a variety of bid types. Hope that helps, Mike
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11-29-2009, 03:09 PM	#5
DougHughes Sells stuff War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beverly Hills by way of Moab - Strange I know Posts: 167 Thanks: 41 Thanked 59 Times in 38 Posts Social Networking	Re: sample forms -- quotations, proposals, etc? And a rate question I agree with Darrel and Mike and have used those same forms from Steve Slaunwhite's book and Bob Bly's Copywriter's Toolkit with some modification for my services. Bob's fee schedule was especially helpful.
	I write copy. I'm on Linkedin if you're curious.