The question is rather long, but I like to post them in their entirety/almost in their entirety so you get a full picture of exactly why the question is posed and the circumstances around it.
QUESTION FROM AN SEO COPYWRIITER
Hi Yuwanda,
. . . You may remember that I emailed you a few weeks ago to tell you I'd launched my SEO writing business following the instructions from your ebook [on how to become an SEO writer (http://bit.ly/akL7HZ)]. At the time, I had a couple of clients that were paying lower rates and basically treating me as an employee, but I took their jobs to get some work till I build the business.
Now . . . I have 3 more clients who are paying me my rates-$25 for a 500 word article or web copy. Not only that, but 2 of the 3 are very happy with these prices and one has told me after I did some work for him that I should charge more. Aside from these 3, I have several more who have told me they will be using my services after the new year.
This made me decide to increase my prices on Jan 1 (what better time to do it, right?). I told the one client that I was going to raise my prices to $30 an article/web page up to 500 words, $40 500 to 1000 words, but that I will keep the current rates for existing clients like him. He was very happy to hear that cause now he thinks he's getting a great deal.
. . . I'm pondering this further. What I really want is to be charging $35 for a 500 word article, and $45 for 500 to 1000 words. However, I'm hesitant to go straight to that price range, because I thought it may be better to test the market at $30 and see how many clients I can gain at that level, and how many think my rates are too high.
If you have time, can you tell me what you think about that? Should I go straight to $35 right away, or should I make it a more gradual jump? (emphasis added)
One last thing-thanks again for all your help and guidance in setting this up. I never would have found this amazing niche without your ebook, and this has given me a career that just a couple months ago I could have only dreamed of! Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!
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MY ANSWER
First let me say, readers like you constantly keep me on my toes. You ask such insightful questions -- questions that really help others propel their businesses to the next level.
So, keep'em coming!
I always say that if you have a question or are facing a given situation, 9 times out of 10 you are not alone. Hence, you should never feel funny asking if you don't know.
Now, to my answer.
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POST CONTINUED BELOW
I would go straight to the $35 per article. Now, this is not normally how I'd proceed; usually I'd say raise prices gradually. But in this case, I think this SEO writer could easily get $35 per 500-word article and following is why.
SEO Copywriting Rates: Industry Standard "Unofficially" Adopted?
I think SEO writing is maturing to the point where companies looking for "non bottom of the barrel rates" EXPECT to pay in the $25-$45 per 350-500 word article range. In my mind, it's become somewhat of an unofficially adopted industry standard -- a rock-bottom rate if you will (for "professional" SEO writers that is).
Sure, you'll still see ads for $3 for 400 words -- but these are people who wouldn't even pay $10 per article, never mind $25 or $35. So there's a tier if you will, that shakes out like this.
SEO Copywriting: The 2 Types of Clients You'll Likely Encounter
Bottom Feeders: Those looking to pay ridiculous rates of $1-$10 for 400-500 words. Forget'em!
Serious Businesses: Then it jumps to the level where this writer is -- clients who know they have to pay at least $25, and won't balk at paying $30-$45 or $50 per 350-500 word SEO article.
Then it goes up from there.
Now mind you, there are many SEO writers who routinely get $75-$200 per article. So SEO writing rates are still all over the place. The above types of clients are ones I've personally dealt with when pricing jobs. Now, I regularly earn $65-$85 per article, and for more specialized subjects (eg, tech), I've gotten $100-$125 for 300-400 words.
Following are some rules to go by when it comes to deciding when and if to raise your SEO copywriting rates. They'll help you to set prices to get what you want -- almost every time.
SEO Copywriting Rates: 4 Factors to Consider When Setting Your SEO Copywriting Rates
I. Industry Research: Do some research to get a feel for what "Serious Businesses" are paying for SEO copy. You can do this by checking major job boards and visiting the sites of other SEO writers to see what they're charging.
FYI, in my opinion, you should stay away from sites like Elance when conducting your industry research. That's where you'll find a lot of the bottom feeders. These types of clients should never figure into how to set your SEO copywriting rates -- as I touched on in the ebook on how to start this type of freelance writing career.
II. Economic Factors: We're coming out a recession right now (at least, according to the experts). This impacts the budgets of your potential clients -- how much they'll spend, when, with whom, for what, etc.
Hence, it's important to note what the economy at large is doing when pricing your SEO writing services -- just like any other small business.
III. Client Base/Niche: If you specialize in providing SEO content for the medical community, you're going to be able to charge more than a general SEO services provider simply because of the nature of the material.
Hence, when conducting your research, be sure to look at YOUR niche if it's highly specialized (eg, medical, tech, finance, legal, etc.).
IV. Business Goals: You should always have a business plan that reflects your financial goals. Where do you want to be business wise in a year, 3 years, 5 years, etc.? How much money do you want/need to be making?
Remember in last week's SEO Writing Jobs (http://bit.ly/g0utih) post when I talked about your "Happy Life" number? This is as important as any other business goal. Know it -- and price your services to achieve it (as long as it's realistic).
SEO Copywriting Rates: One Final Note
It's always easier to lower rates than raise them. So keep this in mind if you're nervous about if your SEO writing rate will be accepted or not. And, I wouldn't raise prices more than once a year.
For new SEO writers, I advise that you set rates at what you can live with for 18-24 months. Then go from there.
Happy pricing . . . and here's to a prosperous, Happy New Year!Sincerely,
Yuwanda
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