What should I charge for a copywriting critique?

You should stop charging by the word/page. Charge by the project. Copywriting is a value based proposition... You shouldn't be charging the same fee to someone who is going to make a million dollars from your work as the guy who might pay rent this month with it.

Ask yourself, how much is this critique going to be worth - in real revenue - to your potential client? Then you'll know what it will cost them NOT to have it done, and can set your fee accordingly. This also puts you in a better position, negotiation-wise. Because you can literally tell them, "I think this critique is going to make you another $10,000 this month - and I can do it for you for $1500."

If they say no, they can go find someone else to do it for them. Pay them $100 and see how much additional revenue they get. Chances are, unless all they care about is price and they don't give two toots about results, they'll come back to you after the fact.

Thank you. I'm new here. Where's the "thank you" button?

I feel that I need to "graduate" from RAC, Elance and target my niches, particularly the financial sector as I have a B.Bus (Finance) + I'm a trade/investor. I am was looking at moving to $750/page BUT I hadn't dawned on me to charge different clients different amounts for the same thing! Bill

You're not really charging them different amounts at all.

Think of it this way... You're not charging anyone a set fee per page, or per word, or even per project.

You're charging a FRACTION of the expected POTENTIAL of the project.

If someone is only going to make $1000 from what you do, sure - charge them $250. But make sure it is because you're only doing $250 worth of work, as well. Don't write a 40 page letter for peanuts... If you can help that person make another $1000 this month by critiquing their squeeze page, charge them $250-$500 (or whatever you feel comfortable with.) Or even charge them $1000 - because if they are the right kind of client for you, they'll be earning that extra $1000 every month. $12k in extra profits in an entire year, and they invested $1k for it? You bet that is a winning proposition for them.

This is much easier to scale up than scale down... But eventually, you'll find yourself turning down clients whom you really can't help that much. So you only work with clients who can see a $10k return on what you do for them. In turn, you get a reputation for creating those kinds of profits.

So now the guys with the $50k potential want to work with you. And you will still charge your fee based on a fraction of the potential of the project. It doesn't have to be a tiny fraction, either... If someone is going to make an extra $10k per month, that's six figures. Charge them $10k for the letter - that still gives them a projected increase in revenue of $110k over a year.

You probably do need to graduate from RAC and elance. Especially with your qualifications. But take it slow... Setup your business processes first. Financial copywriting can be a competitive game when you're just getting your feet wet. Having proven results will help, yes - but so will having the confidence to say "This project is worth a million dollars to you - so I want $25,000 up front, plus a commission on the back end."

Being able to say that, and KNOW that you can back it up with kick-ass copy - that will help you close more deals than any competitive bidding will.

Cherilyn,
Thanks. Just a quick note, I don't bid competitively!
I usually bid x2.5 to x3 other bids... and STILL get 'em!
But yes - I am peaking out on the freelance sites.
... and I'm finding I'm turning down most invitations already.

I draw a lot from Bob Bly & Chris Marlow. You know, what you said is probably in their writings there somewhere ... but I missed it entirely! :-)
Bill