Entrepreneurs Ask... What Can I Expect To Pay For Expert Copywriting?

The Answer: It depends. There's no specific answer because there are too many variables.

Craigslist.com has copywriter postings for $10/hour. Top copywriters command upwards of $750/hour. So, you can expect to pay between $10 and $750 per hour. Averaged, that is $370 per hour.

I know. It's not much of an answer.

Hiring a copywriter sounds like an easy task. Then you begin researching the possibilities and quickly enter the abyss of frustration and overwhelm. There are no easy "apples-to-apples, oranges-to-oranges" comparisons because pricing depends on:

• Years of experience
• Target market
• Knowledge/expertise in a specific industry
• A proven track record of results
• Investment in ongoing training and learning about industry trends from national experts
• What the current market will pay

Most copywriters don't charge by the hour, but provide a bid or proposal instead based on the specifics of your unique project. This is the most professional and effective method of charging you fairly... again because there are so many variables.

Generally, there are 4 ways copywriters charge for services:

1. Per word (copy suitable for newsletters, Web sites, brochures, business cards and blogs)
2. Per page (Web site copywriting)
3. Per project (based on a review of your materials and a formal written proposal)
4. Per package (a specific number of copywriting hours per month, pre-paid in full)

The best method of comparing copywriters is:

1. Ask for referrals from fellow colleagues/entrepreneurs you trust.
2. Review Web sites for all referrals to determine if the copywriter is a good fit for you based on experience, knowledge of your industry, specific expertise and a personal vibe.
3. Read the policies/procedures and pricing pages, if posted, to determine how projects are priced.
4. Submit a request for proposal via email, submit a "Request for Proposal" form or schedule an appointment to discuss the project parameters. Your final decision is often based on how you connect with the copywriter.

Compare proposals not only for pricing, but items included at no additional charge. Typically, the following additional services are included:

• Review of client materials
• First draft
• Two rounds of client revisions (additional revisions charged hourly rate)

REMEMBER: The old adage You Get What You Pay For definitely applies to hiring a copywriter.

With a quick internet search, you can find services offering copywriting for $10/page. That sounds good at first... until you realize the work is actually performed in India (or Pakistan or China) by non-native English speakers.

You don't think that will cost you later in grief, time AND money?

Sure it will, but by the time you realize your lapse in judgment to get the best deal, it's too late. Your Agreement has been signed, you paid a deposit, your credit card number is on file to pay the balance due, and what you get back after waiting weeks or months cannot even be used, the quality is so poor. So, the search begins all over again and the saga continues.

In conclusion, what you can expect to pay for professional copywriting comes down to the investment you make to find a good fit financially, energetically and professionally.

Don't choose the cheapest bid simply because it's the lowest. Pros charge professional rates because they can and do deliver. That's the whole point in hiring them in the first place. You pay a rate that ensures professional results.

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FOR SERIOUS ENTREPRENEURS ONLY! Why You Need a Ghostwriter On Your Team

You may have never thought about it, but having a ghostwriter at your disposal is important to the life of your ongoing marketing efforts. Hiring someone whose expertise it is to write rich content propels you in business and FREES YOUR TIME to focus on management and long-term planning.

I write special reports, articles, and blog posts all under the names of my clients. I take no credit, but instead work quietly behind-the-scenes to feature your products and services so you shine among your existing clients and promising prospects.

So, let me get back to why you need a ghostwriter. You only need one if:

• You're serious about being smart with your time and money
• You're savvy to the point of understanding the fundamentals of wisely investing in your business and its future
• You insist on only knowledgeable, experienced and reliable talent to enhance your already savvy team
• You can no longer justify writing your own materials because it requires a colossal effort beyond your expertise
• You want to effectively market yourself with high-impact support services like ghostwriting (this is in incredibly simple and effective method of projecting professionalism - everyone knows none of us succeeds without the support of a professional team. If you use this information in your marketing content, you are even closer to the big money because people naturally want to align themselves with others they perceive to be professionals)
• You're ready to hand off tasks that zap your days of precious time and energy
• You want to convert prospects to long-term satisfied and devoted customers

Hiring a ghostwriter isn't right for every entrepreneur. It may not be your time. You may not have planned for an allocation of funds. You may not understand the ROI (return-on-investment) value.

However, if you do get it, and are ready to delegate your marketing writing to a pro who works silently to ensure your business growth and creatively showcases your unique offerings, email me. I'd love to hear your ideas and offer you an array of limitless possibilities.

Sometimes it's hard to know just how impactful, easy and freeing it can be to delegate writing, so how about a little taste? It really is as simple as providing project parameters. We do the rest. Can you even imagine handing off the assignment of a free special report, as only one example, and having it delivered to your inbox within a week? What would you do with the time? Put up your feet? Relax? Well, maybe not, but you could certainly focus your efforts on other more demanding items requiring your specific input.

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