Copywriting
Copywriters create written content that is meant to persuade readers to take action, with the goal of helping businesses increase sales and revenue. This can include website content, newsletters, emails, sales letters, and more. SEO copywriters specialize in creating engaging and well-optimized content for websites and blogs, with a focus on search engine optimization. To be successful, a copywriter should have a good understanding of the product or service being marketed and the target audience, as well as strong persuasive writing skills. While a bachelor’s degree in a related field can be helpful, it is not always necessary. Copywriters may work for an agency or take on freelance writing jobs, and the average national salary for a copywriter is $55,352 per year.
Proof-reading & Editing
Proofreaders and editors both play important roles in improving the quality of written documents. While proofreaders typically focus on identifying and correcting errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, editors may also work to improve the overall clarity, readability, and tone of a document. In the publishing industry, proofreaders may review printed “proof copies” of text and mark corrections using specialized proofreading marks. In other fields, proofreaders may work with digital texts and make corrections directly using tools like Microsoft Word’s track changes feature. Both proofreaders and editors may work with a variety of documents, including books, articles, reports, and more, to ensure that they are error-free and meet the required standards before they are published.
Avarage Copy Editor Salary $52,573
Freelancer Writers
Freelance writers are professionals who create written content for a variety of clients, including news outlets, magazines, companies, and others. They may write articles, ad copy, and other types of content and may specialize in a particular industry or niche. To become a freelance writer, you will need to bid for writing gigs and convince potential clients that you can deliver high-quality content. This can be done by showcasing a portfolio of previous work or providing samples of completed projects. Alternatively, you can become a contributing freelance writer, where you contribute content to online publications such as blogs and company websites on a regular basis. There are no formal education requirements to become a freelance writer, but having a portfolio or samples of your work can be helpful in securing gigs. Pay for freelance writers varies based on factors such as the nature of the project, the level of expertise and experience required, and the time needed to complete the work. According to a study by ClearVoice, freelance writers who charge by the word may earn anywhere from $0.06 to $1.5 per word, while the average hourly pay in the U.S. is $19.85 or $56,835 per year.
Ghost Writing
Ghostwriting involves creating written content for someone else, and the scope of each project can vary widely. Some ghostwriting tasks may involve writing an article, while others may involve crafting a whole book. As a result, the rates for ghostwriting services can vary significantly based on the amount of research and writing required, any costs that may be incurred during the process, and the value of the final product. There is no set rate that applies to all ghostwriting projects, and the rate you charge should reflect the specific demands of the task at hand. However, it may be helpful to know an average range of ghostwriting rates to help you determine your own fees and to provide clients with a quote when they ask about your services. Ghostwriters may charge by the word, by the hour, or by the project, depending on the nature of the work.
Per word
Range: $0.15 to $4 per word
Often applies to: articles and web content, manuscript rewrites, book descriptions
Charging per word is the most straightforward method of payment, as you are paid based on the amount of writing you do. However, it does not account for time spent researching and outlining your writing, making it more suitable for shorter projects.
Per hour
Range: $35-$140 per hour
Often applies to: consultation, editorial assessment
Charging by the hour may be appropriate in certain situations, such as when providing a critique or review of a draft, or acting as a publishing or marketing consultant. These services may warrant an hourly wage, although they may involve less actual writing. As with other fee types, your rate may be higher if you have more experience.
Flat fee
Range: $2,000 to $70,000+ per project
Often applies to: manuscript writing, book proposal writing
If you are ghostwriting an entire book, it may be best to agree on a flat fee that covers the research, writing, and multiple rounds of manuscript revisions. This type of fee can be paid in installments over the course of the project, which may take six to seven months or even longer. Beginner ghostwriters can expect to earn between $2,000 and $9,000 per book, while those with more experience may earn an average of $30,000 to $60,000 per book. Highly successful ghostwriters with a track record of bestsellers may earn six-figure fees. For book proposals, the typical price is $5,000 and above.
