Copy for the WF? What is a 'manageable' price for all involved?

Hi Tiff,

Pricing is always (and will always be) an issue, since everyone has their own opinion on the matter. I've read your testimonials and I would say you're seriously underselling yourself. Period.

I know I price my copy at $297 and have been told to increase the price. Here's the problem that I find.

When I originally launched my thread, my prices were much cheaper than this, and I *still* got complaints. When I raised my prices, it never put people off ordering, but I was still getting grumbles from the odd person, whereas everyone else was like 'hike your prices up woman!'.

So, theoretically, I'm still in the shameless whore stage, and seems you are too - underpricing to get more clients and to make your services more affordable to the average Joe Public.

I have two offline clients who are paying me good prices (not premium yet, but hey, who knows?) and have me on retainer.

The fact is, that regardless of which price point you have, you will ALWAYS get complaints from someone or the other. I've seen this with other copywriters on the forum. One of my copywriting friends had a problem where he was providing very cheap copy, and ended up attracting a bunch of time wasters who wanted everything for nothing and still complained.

Copywriting is seen as investment. You have a proven portfolio, and as you quite rightly point out, your copy produces results. You might slog hours away to produce fantastic copy, but only you know how much effort went into it. And as for the buyer, he is getting something that will make him money for a lifetime.

When you think of it like this, it's no surprise copywriters charge premium rates. With cheaper prices, you can end up attracting time wasters (not always), whereas with more expensive copy, you should hopefully get clients who value your services and understand the implications of paying good money for a copywriter which can deliver results.

In short, I think you should raise your prices. Don't worry about what's a good fit for this forum - since you have marketers here who can and will pay good rates for copy. And in any case, those that will pay good money are usually the ones serious about seeing their product do well.

best of luck!
Arfa

Hey Tiff,

I don't want to comment on specifics, but a general observation about the WF is that the pricing of most services here is rock-bottom (for better or worse.....). To be able to charge a premium here, you need to be able to show that you have a decent track record, over a number of months and a number of sales letters. Otherwise, as many warriors would think, why would I go to you rather than the $97 copywriting guy?

As Arfa commented, you might find better-paying clients elsewhere, or you might be better writing up your own niche product and selling that.

However, in the end, your pricing should properly compensate you for the time that you spent writing the sales letter. If it's a couple of hours, then maybe $197 is OK, but if it's a couple of weeks.... maybe you need to look at your pricing again.

Hope that helps,

Lizzie

Sounds like you're doing good, congratulations.

One idea that many work, since you're afraid raising your prices may lose customers, while having low prices may leave money on the table -

- would be to use some creative pricing. In other words offer more than one price - give the customer some options.

For example $197 could be for say 5 pages. $297 could be for 10 pages. $397 could be for a sales letter plus consultation, etc. These are just examples off the top of my head, you could be more creative.

When you offer different prices, you could keep the same customers you have now, and hopefully add those who are willing to spend more.

I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make - it might be worth a try.

As for offering samples - you could write a sample sales letter - one for a made up product, and offer that as a sample.

You could also maybe ask your past clients to write a testimonial, and offer that to those wanting samples, as well as maybe a contact number to reach those former clients.

>>> afford copy at $4,000 a pop ... and probably not even $1,000 a pop.

But why can't they afford it? The reason is they're not doing things on a scale where they have any confidence that they'll make their investment back.

However... there is an entirely different world of folks looking for skilled direct-response copywriters. Beyond the warrior forum. Even beyond Internet marketers.

Moreover... $4,000 a salesletter begins to look a whole lot smaller... really way too small... when you're spending a month slaving over every last detail... and the client is making 6, 7 or more figures from your work.

So... my point is simply that you're going to get a whole lot more price resistance when your target market isn't making more than they invest in you.

Tiff... Listen to Alex!

Writing a killer sales letter takes weeks, involves consulting, researching, rewriting, revising, redefining, testing, chopping down and building up. This takes times.

When people are wanting you to produce converting copy without interviewing or collaborating with them, their expectations are severely unfounded.

When you charge more money, you might get fewer jobs. Maybe.

But at least you'll be committing your energy for a client who appreciates your work and backs it up with a fee that's worth your time!

Hey Tiff,

"Just charge more." -- Colin Theriot

Seriously, when Colin told me that, it changed the whole game for me.

But let me elaborate on a few other important things.

You've got a couple of different "things" going on here that affect your situation.

The Warrior Forum can easily distort the perception on how much one should invest in professional sales copy. With market busting prices like $97/letter, it's easy to feel like "how the heck can I compete... and eat..." while writing copy.

And, I don't care who doesn't like me for saying this, there are a good number of "bottom feeders" here on the WF who solely look for the cheapest price possible. I read that you've had great clients so far and I am happy for you.

When I was first starting out, I had a few stellar clients, who returned to work with me even when my rates skyrocketed (thank you, if you're reading, much love!). I also had a few low-commitment folks who never even put my letters live. And it's certainly fair to say that if I had charged them 5K for the letter... they'd have gotten that **** live...

So, generally, low fee = low commitment, high fee = high commitment. You are a very good writer. You want high commitment clients.

That said, some very big fish hang around here on the WF, and they would be more than willing to pay 4 figures (and 5, with a % of sales) for a sales letter, but your best bet is to find clients off of the WF.

There are two big events coming up in NYC at the end of August, the Clickbank event and Affiliate Summit East... I highly, highly suggest that you attend. Your market will be there in droves and I got a hunch that you present well in the flesh. And, we can hang out!

You always want to have a value-based approach to selling your copywriting services. Never quote a price until you get a sense of how much in sales your letter can generate. You figure this out by asking the proper questions, "What's your product?" "What's your price point?" "Do you have a list?" "How big is your list?" "How did your last product do in sales?" Etc. Etc. I have a whole system for that and how I upsell services based on their answers... If you'd like to know more about it, feel free to PM me.

You'll get there sweetheart. Just remember, you NEVER charge based on the time and effort it takes you to write, but on the VALUE you deliver to the client.

Good luck.