Determining freelance writers’ determining proper payment pay rates can be confusing– for writers and those hiring them. I’ve set to writing a post about legitimate freelance rates because no one online source will cover all the questions raised by a freelancer or a client.
Freelancers don’t have the overhead of an office in some corporate building, they do, however, to earn money for rent or a mortgage for the home in which their actual office resides. They too have to pay for an Internet connection, the electricity to run that computer and the Internet equipment, and the phone. They have to pay for pens, pencils, staples, and the other requisite office supplies. Finally, while they might indeed be working naked and won’t require a wardrobe lined with Chanel suits, they still need to eat.

Here’s an indication of this freelance writer’s pay rates in the US until 2008. Another US national example is here.
For journalism, a basically-established freelance journalist should earn $1 per word. Better-established writers— those who write for magazines bigger than Florida Design or Big Builder — can earn as much as $5 per word.
For media liaison and PR projects, freelance writers’ pay rate should be at least $50 per hour. I charged $100/hour, specifically because there was no one better suited for the job in the city than I. I knew the journalists and the precise contact info the realtor needed. I knew not only what was but how to write and assemble a press kit. I was also prepared to do it on a tight deadline.
Deadlines, friends, always drive up the hourly rate or project cost by 25 to 50%.
Collateral materials and special projects should be paid at an hourly rate of $25 to $50. These projects usually entail informational interviews with the client, research, writing, editing, and formatting. The hourly rate climbs upward to $50 if subject matter is particularly technical and/or if it requires SEO work.
No writer should ever be expected to write on spec. That is, never offer only to pay if you’re happy with the writer’s work. It is the client’s onus to familiarize himself with the writer’s work before hiring him. When first interviewing the writer, check out his portfolio. Agree upon an editing portion afterward to amend parts of the work for all writing projects, except journalism. The writer can either charge hourly for that or build it into the project’s quote. (After learning the hard way, it occurred to me to build in a clause that said I would not do more than two edits.) You’re both covered that way.
Another way to ensure the comfort of both sides is to establish milestones for payments. For instance, when hiring a writer to ghostwrite your book, pay a deposit and determine other practical points at which money will be exchanged. The final payment should be small, yet not small enough to entice the writer to beg out of the project. Never utter the words, “There’s more work if I’m satisfied with this.” That’s insulting to professionals. So is “If I like this I’ll give you a higher rate for later work.” Would you like it if your boss said, “I’ll pay you only if you work for two more weeks?” Or how about if your mechanic said, “If you pay me more later I won’t sabotage your engine so that you have to come back”? Writers recognize these phrases as sure signs of a scammer.
Some projects are unique. This post, therefore, should serve only as a framework. Those wanting to hire an editor should read my post about writers switching to the editor’s role.