An Uber driver told me all about it. It’s that time of year when the sun crosses the celestial equator, and we officially say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.
Just like the vernal equinox marks the start of a new season, let’s take a cue from Mother Nature to refresh and set new goals!
Fair warning: Today's newsletter is… long! I had a lot I wanted to share with you, and the more I wrote, the more I wanted to keep writing. At one point, I had to literally tell myself, "Maggie, stop! They won't read the whole thing, and you'll just lose them!"
I hope I don't lose you. And I promise every word is worth reading. So, grab a cup of Joe (tea or wine, whatever gets you going), and let’s do this!
It's an unfortunate reality. And sometimes, no matter what you do, you just can't avoid them. Sure, you can set processes to minimize the chances, but eliminating them entirely? That's a tall order!
Your questions and insights on that topic were absolutely fantastic!
A special shout-out to Favour, who just had her first client discovery call! Way to go, Favour! Sending all the positive vibes your way for a fantastic client relationship.
One really awesome question that popped up was, "Maggie, what if I undercharge?"
There's no foolproof way to prevent this from happening. Even after carefully assessing and doing preliminary research on a project, when we give a rate, we're still making an educated guess about how long it'll take, right?
Even seasoned writers will tell you undercharging happens to them sometimes... ok, more like often!
Alas! You start the project, research, write, edit, and before you know it, you've gone down a rabbit hole, and your internal hourly rate (IHR) has gone out the window.
What's an IHR, you ask? Great question!
Your internal hourly rate is the minimum amount you need to earn per hour to meet your financial goals and sustain your business. It's your personal benchmark that helps you determine project rates to make sure you’re being fairly compensated for your time and expertise. We’ll discuss how to calculate your IHR later because I’m sure you're itching to know! Note that your IHR is not necessarily the rate you'll quote clients. It’s a behind-the-scenes tool that helps you evaluate potential projects and make sure you're charging enough to hit your goals and keep your freelance business thriving. Because... yeah, that's what we want, right? A thriving business!
They convinced me to break out of my cozy cocoon and take the stage for a speech. Apparently, I lived to tell you about it! 😂
I digress…
Back to undercharging. So, what's a freelance writer to do? How can you minimize the risk of undercharging?
The key is to be strategic when setting your rates.
First, understand that setting the right rate as a new freelance writer can be a challenge. You might be worried about scaring away potential clients or not knowing the going rates in your niche.
But here's the thing: the rates you set can actually influence the types of work and clients you attract. Charge too little, and you might find yourself stuck with less-than-ideal projects or clients who don't value your work.
When I was just starting out, getting a clear answer on freelance writer rates felt like trying to crack a secret code!🤐
Well... let’s discuss rate because I don’t do the secret code thing! The rates we're talking about today are specifically for content writing. Rates can vary quite a bit depending on the service. Copywriters, for example, might charge differently than content writers, and website copy and newsletters have their own pricing structures.
Sooo many things to consider when setting your rate:
Figure out your rate structure
Some writers charge per word, others per project, and some hourly.
Personally, I prefer a per-project rate based on my IHR, which I don't usually share with clients unless they absolutely insist on paying hourly.
This means I charge a fee based on the project scope, but I calculate that fee using my IHR as a starting point. Then, I'll add extra charges depending on the project's demands, like additional research time, more than one SME interview, etc.
Think about your industry and niche
If you're considering charging per word, let's assume we're all health writers here. In my opinion, US 30 cents per word is a decent starting point for our industry. So, if you write a 1000-word blog post, you're looking at $300 per post.
Many well-established publications don't pay more than $300 per 1000-word article, so you'd be in good company. However, this is just MY perspective. You have to determine what works for you.
Can you realistically make a living writing $300 articles?
How many would you need to write to sustain yourself?
These are all factors to consider.
Even within health writing, rates can vary based on the type of content. Blog posts might have a different rate than white papers or case studies. Do your research and see what the going rates are for each type of content in your niche.
Consider your experience and skill level
As a new writer, you must consider your current experience and skills honestly. Don't oversell yourself, but also don't undervalue your abilities.
If you're just starting out, it might be a good idea to begin with a slightly lower rate to attract clients and build your portfolio.
However, even if you're starting with a lower rate, don’t underestimate the importance of delivering high-quality work. Your clients should feel like they're getting a fantastic deal, not subpar content. As you build your reputation and gain more experience, you can gradually increase your rates to match your growing expertise.
You want to find that balance between attracting clients and ensuring you're being fairly compensated for your work.
Factor in your time and effort
When setting your rates, consider the entire process from start to finish and track the time you spend on each project. Toggl or Clockify can help with time tracking.
How long does it typically take you to research a topic?
How many hours do you spend writing and editing?
Do you need to factor in time for client communication or revisions?
Calculate your absolute bottom, middle, and ideal IHR
Ready to figure out your IHR? Use a calculator! It’s an easy and simple way to get a ballpark estimate of your IHR. Here’s another calculator.
Too simple, you say? You don’t trust it? Fine! Grab your calculator.
Start by figuring out how much money you need to make annually to sustain yourself. Don't forget to factor in taxes, business and living expenses, insurance, and any other relevant costs.
Next, calculate your billable hours — the number of hours you actually spend working on client projects for which you will bill. Marketing and admin tasks don't count towards your billable hours.
Finally, estimate how many days off you want to take per year. 🏖️
Let's say you need to make $60,000 per year to cover all your expenses, pay taxes, and reach your financial goals. You estimate that you can work 1,000 billable hours per year (about 20 hours per week). To calculate your IHR, divide your target annual income by your billable hours:
$60,000 ÷ 1,000 hours = $60 per hour
Now that you know your IHR, it's helpful to have a range.
Establish your absolute bottom IHR (the minimum rate you're willing to accept), your middle IHR (the rate you need to make ends meet), and your ideal or dream IHR (the rate you'd love to achieve in an ideal world).
Knowing your absolute bottom IHR will help you identify projects that aren't worth your time. Your middle IHR ensures you're covering your expenses and making a sustainable living. Your ideal IHR is a target that you can work towards as you grow your business.
Let's revisit the blog post example. If a client wants a 1000-word blog post and you estimate it will take 3 hours to research and 2 hours to write, you can use your IHR to determine your project rate. With a $60 IHR, you'd charge $300 for the project (5 hours × $60). If the client requests additional services, like expert interviews or more extensive research, you can adjust your rate accordingly to avoid tanking your IHR.
Makes sense?
Offer tiered pricing packages
Want to add some variety to your rate sheet? Consider creating tiered pricing packages with different levels of services. This way, clients can choose the option that best fits their needs and budget. Think of it like a buffet of your services! Yummy… or more like cha-ching!
For example, you could offer a basic package that includes a set number of blog posts, revisions, and a specific turnaround time. Then, spice things up with a mid-level package that adds keyword research or social media post creation.
Offer a premium package with even more bells and whistles for clients who want the full VIP treatment. How about content strategy or custom graphics?
Be open to negotiation and adjust as you go
As a new writer, there may be times when a client's budget doesn't quite match your rates. In these situations, see if there's room for compromise.
Can you offer a slightly lower rate in exchange for a long-term contract or more work?
It's also smart to review your rates every 6-12 months — sometimes more often — and make adjustments as needed. You want to make sure you’re being paid what you're worth and keep pace with your professional growth. Told you I had a lot to say!
Your Turn!🤝
Your internal hourly rate (IHR) helps you determine project rates and ensure fair compensation.
To minimize undercharging, be strategic when setting your rates:
Choose a rate structure (per word, per project, or hourly).
Consider your industry, niche, and content type.
Assess your experience and skill level honestly.
Factor in your time and effort for each project.
Calculate your absolute bottom, middle, and ideal IHR.
Offer tiered pricing packages (basic, mid-level, premium) to cater to various client needs and budgets.
Be open to negotiation and adjust your rates as you go.
Hot off the dek!
📌This issue's Hot off the dek is brought to you courtesy of Aditi Shingal, Health Communications Expert!
Have you connected with Aditi on LinkedIn? She's a fantastic health writer and a gem! What’s making waves in health writing? What’s the latest buzz?
Here are 2 pitch ideas editors want:
Spring and allergy season
It's that time! Spring is almost here, which means allergy season is coming too. About 81 million Americans deal with allergies during this time. Raise awareness about how people can protect themselves or get tips for dealing with allergies to recover quickly.
You know it! Get those SME quotes!
Ketamine therapy
Ketamine, supported by celebrities like Elon Musk, Sharon Osbourne, Will Smith, and Mike Tyson, is becoming a depression treatment.
In your pitch, discuss its legal status, FDA approval, and safety concerns after Matthew Perry's death (where ketamine may or may not have played a role). Get input from experts and share all the facts. This will be a must-read!
Gigs & Opps
Your next paid gig might be hiding below. Take a look!
Calling dad writers! Anna wants your skills. Looking for dad writers with news experience for quick turnaround health articles, hot takes, and trend pitches.
Looking for stories about longevity (healthy lifestyle tips from older people in your family), among other super interesting topics. Open to writers of all levels, demographics, and locations. Send your pitch to Rosemary Donahue: rdonahue@businessinsider.com.
Pay: $225 for around 600 words.
If you have an engaging personal story related to health and parenting (like relationships, mental, or physical health), she wants to hear from you!
Clare at Flo Health is looking for a freelance UX Writer or Content Designer who loves collaborating with Product and Marketing to create engaging content.
Looking for conversation starters about culture, history, health/wellness, and trends, mythology, the supernatural, unusual history, and fitness trends.
Pay: Around $1 per word.
Send your pitches ( ~200 word blurb who, what, where, WHY ARE WE TELLING THIS STORY NOW & WHY DOES IT MATTER) to starlight.williams@natgeo.com.
For #AAPI Heritage Month, Zuri is looking for freelance pitches for a human rights-focused nonprofit’s blog. Pitches should come from the community with a focus on Mental Health or human rights advocacy.
DM Zuri (see link above) with prior related clips and/or your portfolio, a brief pitch, and your email. Pitch by 3/29. First draft deadline 4/12. Pay is $1/word (with a cap ~900 words.) [this is for Center for Victims of Torture]
Evan is always looking for Men's Health Magazine-friendly essays and Q+A/profile ideas—ties into masculinity, fitness, action/thriller/genre stuff, etc— for their culture/entertainment section. Also taking time-pegged pitches if you've got 'em. Email Evan: evan.romano@hearst.com.
Rates roughly $150-$350ish.
💡Writer guidelines can seem tedious, but sticking to those outlined submission instructions offers major returns on your pitch success rates! Editors are flooded with queries daily, so take the time to follow their stated processes to help your pitch stand out.
👉 What did you write for your own blog? Share it with me at hello@thewritern.com.
Use our Blog Booster challenge to grow your own blog. And... it's time for another blog booster! Are you ready?
Here’s the plan:
Over the next two weeks (by April 4), write one blog post. That’s it, just one blog post for your website in the next two weeks.
Suggested topic ideas: - How to improve on-page SEO - A health writer’s take on AI - Medical misinformation - It takes more than blogging to rank on Google - Beating writer’s block - Tracking your blog's impact
Post your challenge blog post on LinkedIn using the hashtag #THWNblogbooster. It helps me (and other writers participating in the challenge) find and support your blog post on LinkedIn.
Once you’ve published your post, send the link to me at hello@thewritern.com so I can easily collect submissions.
Posts from challenge participants will be featured in upcoming newsletter editions. This gives your writing bonus exposure!
One last thing! Make it a point to interact with and support the work of fellow health writers taking on the Blog Booster challenge. Remember, this is our community!
PS: I'm seriously, absolutely, and honestly itching to know how I can make this newsletter the best for YOU and US. This is not a one-way street. You hear from me. But I want to also hear from you. Hit REPLY to share what works and what doesn’t, what you want to see more of, or just say hi! 👋
Loving the vibes? Share this newsletter with a friend. And if you received this e-mail from a friend, why not make it official? Stick around, treat yourself, and subscribe!
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