Editor’s note: This post was originally published in July 2023 and was updated and republished in July 2024.

Are you thinking about hiring a copywriter? Like most services, pricing a copywriting project can be tricky as there is no tangible product. Instead, you are paying for a copywriter’s expertise and time. This post will give you an idea of the factors involved when a copywriter works out their fees which will give a rough guide to what your project may cost.

Why hire a copywriter?

In a nutshell, copywriters are masters of their craft. As well as knowing how to string a sentence together, copywriters understand people. They know how to write in a way that will resonate with people and more likely turn them into paying customers. Good copywriting is a powerful skill that most businesses can benefit from in their content. I go into more detail about this in my post Why Hire a Professional Copywriter?

To find out why you should hire me, check out my About Page.

What do you get for your copywriting fee?

As well as professionally written copy that engages and inspires your readers, there are typically other factors included in a copywriting fee. For example, my copywriting fee usually includes:

• Creating a detailed project brief, which helps me to understand your business and get your message across in the right tone of voice
• Offering suggestions, ideas, concepts, and approaches
• Two rounds of revisions to ensure the work is how you want it to be
• Professional proofreading to make sure no mistakes are hiding in the final work

What factors contribute to a copywriting fee?

What factors a copywriter chooses to base their fees on will vary from copywriter to copywriter. However, typically they will include factors such as how long the piece will be, how long it will take to write, and what extras you need, for example, keyword research or meta tags.

Here are the factors I consider when working out my fees:

How much copy is required?

Firstly, I consider how big or small the project is (i.e. how many words or pages). Lots of pages will typically take longer to write than just a few paragraphs, although, this is not always the case. So, the next thing I consider is how complex the project is and how much creative energy it will take.

How complex is the project?

Some things are easier to write than others. In general, complex and technical pieces take longer to write. For example, I may need to do more research to understand a topic or I may need to get familiar with some new technical terms.

What research is required?

Some projects take less research time than others. For example, for some pieces, some internet research might be all that is needed. However, in other cases, I may need to talk to experts to gain a decent insight. Conducting interviews will take extra time, adding to the cost.

How quickly do you need it?

A project with a very tight deadline is likely to cost more because of the time constraints and extra pressure. Personally, because I like to provide clients with my best work, I prefer not to work to a deadline of fewer than 48 hours. To create my best work, I need time to think and come up with ideas. I also like to let the copy sit before editing so that I can more easily spot errors.

A tight deadline is likely to result in rushed work that is not of the best quality. Therefore, if you want good quality work, I recommend you give your copywriter plenty of time!

Do you want Search Engine Optimised content?

Content optimised for search engines will help you rank better in search results, resulting in more people finding your business online.

Optimising content involves extra steps such as:

• Keyword research (finding out what words and phrases people use in searches related to your industry)
• Crafting copy that uses your keywords while still sounding natural
• Optimising other elements of the text (e.g. images and metadata, etc.)

As you have probably guessed, optimising content for SEO will add to the cost. However, if being found online is your goal, it will be cheaper to do this upfront rather than go over your text again at a later date.

Do you want images?

Sourcing the right image takes time. It’s not a case of just pulling one off a Google search. There are considerations such as copyright and licensing terms, and if you need to pay a fee to use them.

If you’re also looking for design work (e.g. you want a new website or your copy is for a brochure), I work with a professional designer. So, get in touch to ask about our copy and design packages, which can work out cheaper than hiring separate consultants. It will also save you time!

What are standard copywriting rates?

There are no real standard rates for copywriting, and quotes can vary a lot from copywriter to copywriter. How much a copywriter charges usually depends on their experience, niche (if they have one), what value (results) they will deliver to your business, and many other factors related to the work itself.

As a guide, Procopywriters do an annual survey to see what copywriters are charging. In 2024, the average copywriting day rate was £440.

How do copywriters charge?

There are three main pricing models for copywriting:

• Project fee
• Daily or hourly rates
• Per word pricing

Here is a breakdown of how copywriters charge, according to the results from the Procopywriters surveys:

Year	Project Fee	Daily/Hourly Rate	Per Word
2024	56%	38%	1.3%
2023	59%	34%	5%
2021	76%	68%	6%
2020	74%	69%	10%
2019	70%	66%	9%
2018	50%	47%	6%

As you can see, the most popular choice for freelance copywriters is project fee, followed by daily or hourly rates. Per word pricing lags in popularity, probably because it doesn’t take the other aspects of content creation into account, such as time, deadline, research, planning, editing, and value-added.

My preference is to charge by the project because it keeps things simple, and clients know the cost upfront, with no surprises down the road! However, some of my regular clients prefer an hourly or daily rate. So, if that’s you too, it is something I can accommodate.

Can you afford to hire a copywriter?

I think the real question is can you afford not to? While hiring a professional copywriter may seem expensive, in the long run it will save you money (and headaches!).

Much like with other things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to copywriting. Sure, there are cheaper options such as ‘content mills’, where you can advertise your project for a nominal price. But is the quality going to be that good? For such low fees, writers will usually have to cut corners.

Then, if the copy is poor, you’ll probably spend more money trying to fix it. It takes years of practice and experience for a copywriter to hone their craft and they deserve to be paid for their skills and expertise!

In summary

There are no official standard rates for copywriting and prices vary between copywriters. Pricing will also depend on factors such as the nature of the project, how long it will take, and complexity.

The national average daily rate in 2024, as reported in the ProCopywriters Survey, was £440. Most copywriters prefer to charge by the project, with daily or hourly rates being the second favourite pricing model. Per word pricing is not a popular option.

Good copywriters do more than just write words; they know how to write persuasive copy that resonates with people, making them more likely to take those all-important actions. This kind of knowledge takes time, commitment, and practice to acquire. Therefore, when hiring a copywriter, you’re paying for more than just the words they write.