How much to charge on first assignment

You charge based on the size and complexity of the job
or by the hour. Whether it pays royalties is a question
you need to address to them.

Tell them you will do it for $1,000.

It depends on the size of the text for sure. I guess they will pay you once the job will be done. How many words the renewal supposed to be?

I mean i would investigate and get quotes from others in my industry then go from there .If you are selling a service that's unique you really wouldn't have to compete on price but if you are not you are going to be competing on price . The main thing to focus on is giving value and price points that align with the value you are providing.

Please let us know how this works out! Best of luck on your first job. Quoting a job is a big part of the process....based on complexity, on what your hourly or daily or per word rate is determined to be....based on how long you estimate the job will take.


Just pulling a number out of the air - or other people suggesting how much for YOU to quote for a job they know nothing about - is not the way to go. When you are new, it might work but in the end it will short you on some jobs - and lose others jobs if you over quote.

Some will - some will just think 'too much' and move on....I freelanced for several years - and seldom negotiated. If YOU believe you are worth what you quote...chances are the client will agree with you.

It may be the most difficult part of the process for many people - it's not easy to ask for money - we don't always value our own work as highly as we should.

I (and I'm certain other content and copywriters do the same) had my own little 'formulas'....but it started with what I EXPECTED to earn per hour. With time you become adept at estimating how a long job might take - so you develop a quote based on hrs X $/hr....add 10-20% to that to allow for exigencies.

To be honest, I think it was easier for me to set fees as at the time I had an offline job that paid $50+ per hour. It was an easy job so wasn't willing to freelance for less than that.

The only times I negotiated were when I knew I was quoting 'high' or when the person was a repeat client with flexible deadlines, etc.

For some reason, many clients seem to think the promise of future work is enough for you to cut your fees on this first job. No, it's not.

My honest opinion, based on my experience...

and I've shared this with charmingcapital13...

when you're brand new, with no portfolio, it's not the time to worry about how much to charge.

This is a learning experience. I would simply tell them you have no idea about pricing...how do they normally handle someone new? What pricing structure do they use?

The gig may pay only $100, but being able to use it in your portfolio may lead to paydays in the thousands.

Plus, if they like you, you can negotiate future work.

There will probably be an editor that reviews it, revisions will probably be needed. It's a time to learn.

Yes, we all want to be paid for what we do...but in the very beginning, we need to be willing to learn for future profits.

If you've written for Agora and received a 3% residual on a piece...you have something to use for the future. Being brand new, it's not worth trying to negotiate a price because you have nothing to base that negotiation on.

Just my thoughts

Yea, solid advice.

After asking them to pay me what they believe is fair since I'm new to this and don't know how to charge, they offered $1500. The samples they showed me are 2-4 pages.

and then



????????????????

Speakin' as a Princess, natchrlly I am nowan to speak to evrywan 'bout royalties.

Tellya, sum guy from way up beyond the Great Lakes sent me a stuffed moose las' week, sayin', "ain't she so frickin' majestic? I got another 25 of these, because like you I shoot to kill. Plus 3 grizzly bears and a whale I harpooned myself."

Always you gotta CREATIVELY BLANCMANGE the gowin' rate, the valyoo you add, an' the resources you gaht in your availabyool calendah schedyool.

Here's where you gotta ASK more than you mebbe TOLD.

Invite TMI to save your ass: plenty clients figure you gonna exact miracles outta thin air.

Venn diagramatically, these are the same people get way pissed when you don't delivah.

So it is in your interest to raise the bar, always.

Beginnah's mind starts here.

Sneak past or leap?

Your immediate schwango vs my inevitable potential?

Here's where YOUR touch is bettah than mine.

Look close in to where you toe the line an' wanna say more.

Tamara, the line will be crossed an' the moresumness will blossom.

This is naht to sound like a megalomaniac, but you must always command view of your own lens.

Walkin' togethah with with the planet, its peoples, an alla their cutesy pets, you may say sumthin' of valyoo that don't compromise your ass.

Meantime, I jus' gaht anothah moose from sum guy in frickin' Delaware, evan as I hack out this life-changin' response.

Here's his txt:

"Dear Princess, your contribution to the Warrior Forum never ceases to amaze me, which is why me and the guys from the 'Chop The Waters' kayak team are proud to send you the ultimate stuffed moose ever! He lights up when you twist his antlers (Christmas!), cleans easily with a whole range of products from Taxi!, and if you pull his nose you'll discover a heartfelt 2hr a capella tribute from the close-knit group we have come to know as 'The Guys'."

Uh hoh -- ain't that sweet?

Thing is, jus' wanna say I don't keep nuthin' like this evah. No moose, no sofa, no performin' dolphin complete with tub, trainah, an' hoop.

Point of fact, the last moose I been sent (sum' Japanese guy who I believe may have gaht his postal details mixed up with Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden bcs he so big on quadrupeds genrlly) gaht redirected to my local cat sanctuary.

We gaht so many abandoned animyools ... so much mooshy food condemns them to a lifetime of hapless servityood .. turns out no frickin' stuffed moose gives 'em all the gnarly chomp they need to satisfy their desires.

Mebbe this counts against me *sob* how I such an ungrateful ass.

But I figure I OK tho bcs Linda (she is the cat center gal I call evry time a moose cums my way, or a dinin' table, sofa, TV etc) says, "needy cats are so desperate to gnaw on something substantial, particularly other inhabitants of the planet. Plus, they don't care if said inhabitants contain foam instead of internal organs because they love their naps so much."

So, hey -- grimacin' is a persnl ishoo, but smilin' is for evrywan.

You always analyze the task and nature of job. then see the client as well , if he can pay well then why not ask for more?
As i see you mentioned various tasks in your following comment like "email lifts , advertisement , space ads, long sales letter " ..... Buddy you should charge more as this is the backbone of any company , its not easy to write persuasive sales copies so should charge $1500+ (depending on word count).
If i were you then charge much more than that.