Buzzwords Copywriting Manchester

The issue of ‘Copywriting Rates’ is as much about ‘how you charge’ as it is about the amount you charge. Certainly, a more expansive response is more likely to meet with client approval than a bald ‘take it or leave it’ figure.

What I mean is:

• Whenever possible, outline more than one costing scenario.  For example, you could say: If I do this, it will cost you £X.  By adding this, it will cost £Y.  And if you want the Full Monty, you’re looking at £Z-plus!
• For each price, outline in detail what’s involved.  This could be ‘research’.  You could include a re-write in the price.  Or you could create a mini-package which includes keyword-research, on-page SEO copywriting, landing pages for pay-per-click campaigns and so on.

Your initial proposals set the tone of how you do business.  As a copywriter, you’re selling your clients’ wares.  By demonstrating you’re a bit savvy when it comes to selling your own services, you’ll win more respect from potential clients who know all about operating in the commercial world.

‘Copywriting Rates’  (Dec 8, 2007) is easily the most popular post on this blog!  It underlines the commercial significance of business copywriting and the hard-headed approach people take to what is an important, and often crucial, decision.

I should say, however, that quality should score over price every time.  There are plenty of so-called copywriters out there - especially on the Internet - who are charging five dollars an hour.  To me, that’s commercial suicide - unless you’re living in a third-world country of course.

As you would expect, Buzzwords charges much more than that (call me on 01565 654 023 to find out!).  That’s mainly because I have 20 years’ experience and know-how under my belt.  But also because I’m good at what I do! 

Different types of projects are charged out in different ways.  Standard copywriting for things like advertising and brochures are charged at a fully negotiable day-rate, pre-agreed as a fixed rice for each particular job.  Copywriting for websites is negotiable on a ‘per project’ basis, whilst anything that’s ongoing - such as PR, article marketing, link building and SEO - works best on a monthly retainer fee. 

Nothing is set in stone, however, and copywriting rates are always negotiable, especially for volume work or ongoing consultancy-type projects.  The best thing to do is give me a call the next time you feel a project coming on.  The copywriting rates may not surprise you, but the quality and commitment surely will!

A difficult area of freelance copywriting is agreeing rates.  Copywriters vary in so many ways; copywriting projects differ hugely in their complexity and value; and clients’ expectations have been confused in recent years since the Internet has thrown up a new breed of so-called copywriter who either charges the earth based on very little commercial experience, or who charges next to nothing because they are based in low-cost overseas’ economies or are simply unaware that copywriting does have real value.

With 20 years’ experience,  I have seen some dramatic changes in both the way copywriting is perceived and the attitudes clients adopt towards paying for it.  Until ten years or so ago, most copywriters emerged from ad agencies or newspaper backgrounds and usually had to jump through various academic and training-ground hoops.   Nowadays, anyone can - and many do - call themselves ‘copywriters’ with no grounding whatsoever in the industry.  This leads to difficulties when clients realise that they’re paying someone who falls well short of the professional rates being demanded.  It leads to difficulties for the reputation of copywriting as a whole.  And it muddies the waters when it comes to agreeing a fair rate for the job. 

Fortunately, I have enormous experience in the copywriting field and I can tell you how long a job will take and how much it will cost  after a quick look at the brief and assessing how much information is available.   All work is charged out by the job - although some clients understandably want a ball-park hourly or day-rate to make inter-copywriter comparisons.   

Buzzwords can also provide copywriting ‘packages’ at an inclusive monthly rate.  This can work out to be very cost-effective where a company plans to be active on several marketing fronts simultaneously.  This could include writing or re-writing a website.  It may include writing landing pages for a pay-per-click advertising campaign or writing a mini-website for a new product launch or spinning off a specialist company within a group.  It could also include marketing collateral such as direct mail or advertising.  Or it might include the various aspects of PR.  The list is endless - but Buzzwords will be happy to oblige where clients are looking for, say, an integrated Online Copywriting campaign or an ongoing PR campaign. 

In all cases, Buzzwords can provide the support services of designers, printers, computer programmers, SEO experts and others.  For more information, call Mike Beeson on 01565 654023 or visit Buzzwords’ website (URL  on ‘About Buzzwords’ page).