How much do we charge per written word?

[damyanti]

I was in a discussion with a friend yesterday, who is also a freelance writer, and we were wondering what is the usual range of price writers charge per written word for web writing?
Just curious, would love some responses on this.

[cbhrbooth]

Interesting question. . . but what type of web writing? If you mean article-type writing, then I commonly see payment rates of 200-600 words @ 10-25 cents/word. I've read, but sadly have had no personal experience, that the larger sites pay $1.50&up/per word.

But that's the market rate, not a rate the writer sets. So this info may not have answered your question.
Mary B.

[damyanti]

Thanks, Mary....10-25 cents a word? That is good pay for article writing....in CC we make max of 3-6 cents a word I think. My friend was asking what is the minimum she should charge, and I was not sure what to tell her

[cbhrbooth]

Glad to help, but I don't know if that range is good for CC or not. (Those word count ranges were based on site payments I regularly pitch articles to - with mixed success on selling the idea.) I haven't sold a higher priced CC article since this winter, and I haven't been tracking the word count price on the Sold list, so I'm not well-informed on that end. One of the top CC sellers can offer better suggestions for good word count price ranges for CC. (Private requests probably pay better with the volume.) Just remembered! When I first started on CC the suggested guideline for pricing articles was 10 cents/word. (It was listed when you click on pricing on the submit form. Maybe that guideline is still there?)
Mary

[damyanti]

Thanks, Mary, I have been on-again, off again on CC because of other commitments, but am now planning to do it more seriously.

Rates here are not a problem, I just have to look at what rates other articles are selling, and here we also have to pay the percentages to CC etc. so CC articles have to factor that in too.

I was asking more in general, because me and my friend have not reached too many conclusions yet on how much to charge per word for the web writing that is the typical 400-600 words stuff.

Will keep looking for answers, though ......but in the meanwhile, thanks for your inputs!

[Celeste Stewart]

Outside of CC, I have sold a few pieces to magazines and websites though I don't typically have the luxury of saying what I charge. They usually specify in their guidelines what they'll pay. One that I have sold a few articles to in the past pays $200 for 1,000 words so that's about 20 cents per word. I have my eyes on a magazine that pays $1500 for a similar length article but I realize they get thousands of queries a month so landing an article like that is going to be tough.

Pick up a copy of Writer's Market. You'll get an idea of what the various magazines and trade publications pay.

[damyanti]

Thanks Celeste, that really helps.....I am trying to settle on rates with my friend....will look up the Writer's market.

[Celeste Stewart]

It's a terrific resource. You can also get access to their online website for a few dollars more if you get the Deluxe version. I think the 2008 version should be out soon if it's not already. . .

[Sarah81]

Oooh, Writer's Market! Excellent resource. The new edition usually comes out shortly before my birthday in mid-October, so you might have to wait a while for it yet. But in the meantime, the public library probably has a copy of the '07 edition. You can, if nothing else, give it a look to get an idea of what it's all about.

[pervarakapadiaatconstant]

Hi i was reading the threads here. There are few opportunities but lets be aware that there are scams too