What do you charge for a 500 article: the results

  The results of our first poll on what freelance writers charge are in, and may be a little surprising to some of you...

Last week we asked you to tell us what you'd charge for a 500 word web content article. The results can be seen on the left, showing that the majority of respondents went for the $30 - $50 option, with the slightly higher $50 - $100 option coming second.

Although I was pleased to see that the number of people saying they'd charge less than $5, or between $5 - 10 were very small, it was interesting to note that there were people who would consider these rates reasonable for the job in question, and still more who'd charge between $10 - $30.

No one said they'd charge more than $500, which wasn't particularly surprising, of course, but a small number of respondents said they charge between $300 - $400, which was the highest price bracket you said you'd consider for a 500 word article.

It's hard, of course, to properly analyze these results without knowing where the respondents live, and other factors which would perhaps influence their decision. but it's still interesting, and possibly useful to get some idea of what other writers are charging.

We'll have another poll up shortly to see what you'd charge for another type of freelance writing job, but in the meantime, I'd be interested to know what you think of the results of this one. Surprising? More or less what you expected? Tell us in the comments...

Comments

[Harry Husted]

Although I didn't know about this survey, I just wanted to add that I do not charge anything less than $30 for a 500 word article. Anyone who charges under $10 is either living at home, still in college, or are from India. Otherwise, you are shortchanging yourself and embarrassing other writers for charging so little.

[Marce]

I am glad that you posted this survey because it helped me gage how my rates compare to others. Of course, I have some clients who are fine with my rates and others who run for their lives. :) I agree with the above post, hopefully, this survey will help those who are charging so little.

[Helen]

I was shocked when I saw how many people said they would charge $30-50, don't they value their time more than that? All I can think is those that are happy to work for so little-- and yes, it devalues and cheapens ALL writers-- are those who don't rate the quality of their own work. And perhaps they are the only ones who had time on their hands to respond to the survey! Come on, low chargers, do everyone a favour, respect yourselves and the writing profession and demand higher fees. Or do something different.

[Amanda Nicole]

This poll was a fantastic idea. So many writers just starting out as freelancers don't know what to charge, and I think knowing what your peers are charging is a good starting point.

[Karen Swim]

I participated in the survey and I am admittedly shocked by the results too. What I would consider to be insultingly low others are happy to take but then again we're not competing for the same kind of business. There is a market for $100 and under content. I don't look down on writers who choose to work that market, it's just not the market I've chosen for my own business. This was insightful, thanks for posting!

Karen