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How much should I charge?

by Webghost
15 replies
Hi guys!

For the last couple of months I've been in charge of every newsletter and sales piece for a company that sells photography software.

Usually I write between 3 and 6 pieces (per month) that bring in anything from $5.000 to $10.000 in sales.

The list is around 10K subscribers and my stats are as follows:
  • Average opens (emails): 60%
  • CTR to the promotion: anything from 10% to 30%
  • Average sales: anything from 8% to 10%.

I was wondering, considering these numbers, what do you think is the correct price to charge for my copywriting services. Additionally, do you think those are good numbers?

Thanks in advance,
Webghost.
#charge
  • Profile picture of the author Webghost
    Anyone? I would really love to hear your thoughts on this.

    Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author 82ana
      Originally Posted by Webghost View Post

      Anyone? I would really love to hear your thoughts on this.

      Thanks!
      I'd help you out but I don't know jack s**at about what to pay or charge for copywriting. Sorry.
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      • Profile picture of the author MontelloMarketing
        If you're really REALLY consistently converting 8-10% of your leads into buyers then I say don't ask your boss for any money. Just pickup your pens and pads and quit because you could easily be making 100K plus per year freelancing.
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        • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
          Originally Posted by MontelloMarketing View Post

          If you're really REALLY consistently converting 8-10% of your leads into buyers then I say don't ask your boss for any money. Just pickup your pens and pads and quit because you could easily be making 100K plus per year freelancing.
          Yeah, seriously.

          That's 8-10/100, or 80-100/1000. I know that's obvious, but presenting statistics to a Major Mailer (someone experienced in DM) gives you a very good starting point.

          I mean, like Vin said. If you're consistently converting that well... start freelancing or tell your boss how much he's going to start paying you on retainer.

          Best,

          Angel
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by Webghost View Post

    Hi guys!

    For the last couple of months I've been in charge of every newsletter and sales piece for a company that sells photography software.

    Usually I write between 3 and 6 pieces (per month) that bring in anything from $5.000 to $10.000 in sales.

    The list is around 10K subscribers and my stats are as follows:
    • Average opens (emails): 60%
    • CTR to the promotion: anything from 10% to 30%
    • Average sales: anything from 8% to 10%.

    I was wondering, considering these numbers, what do you think is the correct price to charge for my copywriting services. Additionally, do you think those are good numbers?

    Thanks in advance,
    Webghost.
    Charge according to the value you bring to the table. At least 10%.

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author Webghost
    Hey everyone!

    Thanks for your input. Those numbers are very consistent trough out all my pieces.

    I must say I always thought it was the list responsible for those numbers... I mean, is HIGHLY targeted. (English is not even my native language)

    Anyway, have some tips on how to start... Do some pieces for anyone here, set up my own websites, etc?

    Would love to hear your take on this!

    Thanks...
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    • Profile picture of the author arfasaira
      If you want to freelance, you need lots of samples and a website with your portfolio online. Then you need to market yourself like any good business would.

      Set yourself a minimum rate that you would never work less for and stick to it - you obviously know your stuff and you won't struggle in the slightest. Get reviews for your work, lots of testimonials and get referrals wherever you can.

      Once you have all this, you can easily approach creative ad agencies and direct mailing houses with your samples and stats. I suggest you ask your client for a testimonial on how specifically you have helped his business grow.

      Another thing - start to build your list of contacts and create a newsletter for yourself and away you go. It's essential that you show your customers what results your work and expertise can bring them.

      Specialize and differentiate yourself from everyone - what makes you so special and so great (apart from the great results your bringing in) - sell yourself and make you your own brand.

      Above all, keep marketing and reaching out to customer. You are going to do great freelancing - that's where the money is!

      Best of luck!
      Arfa
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      "Sales Letter Conversion Rate At 19%??" Get Your Own Kick-Ass Converting Copy Here!
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      • Profile picture of the author Webghost
        Originally Posted by arfasaira View Post

        If you want to freelance, you need lots of samples and a website with your portfolio online. Then you need to market yourself like any good business would.

        Set yourself a minimum rate that you would never work less for and stick to it - you obviously know your stuff and you won't struggle in the slightest. Get reviews for your work, lots of testimonials and get referrals wherever you can.

        Once you have all this, you can easily approach creative ad agencies and direct mailing houses with your samples and stats. I suggest you ask your client for a testimonial on how specifically you have helped his business grow.

        Another thing - start to build your list of contacts and create a newsletter for yourself and away you go. It's essential that you show your customers what results your work and expertise can bring them.

        Specialize and differentiate yourself from everyone - what makes you so special and so great (apart from the great results your bringing in) - sell yourself and make you your own brand.

        Above all, keep marketing and reaching out to customer. You are going to do great freelancing - that's where the money is!

        Best of luck!
        Arfa
        arfasaira thanks so much for your advice. I might just take you up word for word on it.

        Let's see what the new year brings

        Cheers!
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    • Profile picture of the author hapishyguy
      Originally Posted by Webghost View Post

      Hey everyone!

      Thanks for your input. Those numbers are very consistent trough out all my pieces.

      I must say I always thought it was the list responsible for those numbers... I mean, is HIGHLY targeted. (English is not even my native language)

      Anyway, have some tips on how to start... Do some pieces for anyone here, set up my own websites, etc?

      Would love to hear your take on this!

      Thanks...

      Hi Webghost,

      Would you write content for my site redmapledesigns.ca. I streams are web development, graphic design and SEO. What do you say?
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  • Profile picture of the author jigney
    yes , you get fantastic response and charges are also reasonable. But if you are looking for more earning then you can jack up charges by 20% .
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  • Profile picture of the author JanPat
    Great stats. Give them a choice. Name a higher price OR a percentage of sales. You got something good going here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zentech
    Charge what you're worth. This may sound like a non-answer, but the truth is, you know how much you're worth. You may not be clearly aware of it, but that's only because you may not have looked at the issue head-on yet.

    There's a fairly exact figure as to what you're worth. I don't know this figure, and neither do clients, but somewhere in your mind, you do. Find that figure.

    If you try to charge more, even a little bit, you'll under-deliver and it will bite you in the behind eventually. If you charge less, you'll cheat yourself. But if the figures you gave are accurate, it sounds like you can charge pretty liberally.

    Me, I'm a $897 per sales page guy right now. I'm taking very few clients (and that's by choice), but that's what I'm worth currently. No more, no less. If you're getting the kind of results you stated, you're probably worth considerably more.
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    • Profile picture of the author Webghost
      Originally Posted by Zentech View Post

      Charge what you're worth. This may sound like a non-answer, but the truth is, you know how much you're worth. You may not be clearly aware of it, but that's only because you may not have looked at the issue head-on yet.

      There's a fairly exact figure as to what you're worth. I don't know this figure, and neither do clients, but somewhere in your mind, you do. Find that figure.

      If you try to charge more, even a little bit, you'll under-deliver and it will bite you in the behind eventually. If you charge less, you'll cheat yourself. But if the figures you gave are accurate, it sounds like you can charge pretty liberally.

      Me, I'm a $897 per sales page guy right now. I'm taking very few clients (and that's by choice), but that's what I'm worth currently. No more, no less. If you're getting the kind of results you stated, you're probably worth considerably more.
      Thank you for your response. I have posted another thread with some small samples of my copy. If you go and read it, you'll see I have flaws and a lot of room for improvement but I'm getting good results, so it works out.

      I'm curious to see how another list would react to my copy. Anyone would like a re-write or a test-run sales letter?

      -W
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  • Profile picture of the author copylicious
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author sakari
      Ditto this suggestion. Add a small commission to the fee you charge - that should work well!

      Originally Posted by copylicious View Post

      I propose you charge a certain commission based on a mutual agreement.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Binnie
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Timothy Scotch
      Hello (I'm new here, learning the ropes).

      I would say if you are getting those conversion rates it has something to do with your list and or the targeting and other factors perhaps not entirely the result of your work (although I really have no idea)

      The only way to know your worth is to try. Just charge what you think you are worth and if you live up to what you think you are worth in the marketplace, people will continue to hire you. Then proceed to recommend you. So start off on the side and see how if others are willing to keep using you.
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