Contractors charge by the hour. Salaried workers are paid biweekly, weekly or monthly. Doctors charge you simply to wait for them. (Well, not exactly, but let’s face it: you’re paying no matter how long you sit in that little plastic chair.)

But how much should a writer charge to create original content for you?

The answer here is a little more complex, but it’s not impossible to unravel. Let’s look at the key points that mean you may be paying more (or less!) than your best guess.

The Writer’s Skill

Skill obviously comes into play. A less-skilled, “content mill”-style copywriter will often charge the least of any category. The reason is fairly straightforward: usually, there is less research (or no research at all) and less artistry to content mill writers. Instead, they’re turning out as much content as they can in the least time possible.

By the way, that’s not disrespect. Some clients want content as filler; there is a place for this type of writing, and where there’s a market, there’s a worker.

But there’s no denying that a writer who can put emotion behind his or her words, can grab your audience and keep them on your site, and can elevate your brand to the next level can, and will, charge more than someone who is simply putting out the number of words you want with some SEO thrown in.

The Writer’s Experience

Skill and experience are not necessarily the same thing. A writer who isn’t particularly skilled might remain at that expertise level for years. Or a relative newcomer may blow you away with some hard-hitting, killer content.

However, in general, a writer who not only can write, but has a proven track record of writing and being published for a period of years will usually charge more than someone who is newer to content writing.

The Type of Written Content

I usually charge more for a document that requires extensive, vetted/cited research than for lighter writing. (I rarely take “filler” writing assignments.) For these pieces, or for content that requires knowledge of science, legal or similar spaces, I charge more, and so do most of my colleagues.

Humor or life experience articles are usually easy (not to mention fun!) to write. And SEO-based articles tend to go quickly; the skill there is in fitting the keywords naturally, so they don’t interrupt the flow of the piece. These will usually involve a lower rate to the client.

Ongoing Work v. One-Off Pieces

Many content writers charge less per word or document if they receive ongoing work from the client. Again, the rationale here is obvious: it’s a bird in the hand v. two in the “but I swear there will be more work later” bush.

I think of this as a thank-you to my clients, but there’s another reason content writers and copywriters may charge less overall to repeat clients. Each time a new client arrives on the scene, the copywriter needs to learn the client’s style, the brand story, and more. That means an initial research and question-and-answer period, extending the length of time the writer spends on the assignment. With repeat clients, that process only happens once.

So What About the Real Numbers?

All these designations – “higher v. lower,” “charge more v. charge less,” and so on – may sound pretty vague. I know what you’re thinking. “So just tell me already! How much will I be paying for copywritten material?”

Please note that this section involves current (2022) rates and that every content writer charges differently. In addition, you may receive a special rate for repeat work, or you may be charged an add-on fee for rush projects.

With that said, writing rates can loosely be broken down to the following:

~ $0.02-0.04 per word for content that requires less skill and/or little to no research.

~ $0.05-0.09 per word for mid- to high-level writing that involves a standard amount of research.

~ $0.10 per word or more for projects completed by highly experienced and skilled writers.

Want a Quote On Your Project? Contact Me Today!

Every project, like every brand (and client!), is different. Curious about what you’d be charged for your current project? Contact me right now for a free consultation and quote.