How To Set Your Freelance Copywriting Fees.

Perhaps the roughest part of being a successful freelance copywriter is setting your fees. As you know, fees are all over the place.

But the estimate or quote you give your prospective client is important --- whether he accepts it or rejects it. Why? Simply put, your fees project your perceived value.

Obviously, there's more to it than that. If your estimate is too high, you may lose the project. If it's too low, you won't be taken seriously as a copywriter and you won't get the job. In fact, it's better to be too high than too low.

You need to take a number of things into consideration when setting your fees.

Begin by setting down with a paper and pencil. Write down everything you can about your target market. In fact, picture just one person. What does he want? What can he afford. What's she willing and able to pay and is it worth your time to have her as a client?

Next, think about your experience. For example, I have some four decades of experience. I can command higher fees than someone just starting out.

Then consider your client again. Is she a repeat client or a new one. Is she someone you want to give a slight discount to for some reason? Will her business do something special for you?

Always think about the impact of the fees you quote. Never be afraid to ask for what you're worth. But, at the same time, you have to consider what the market (your market) will and can pay.

Many people are basically cheap. They also don't know the value of a good copywriter. So if they are ignorant to your value, you don't want to accept their project. They'll spend a ton of money on pretty design and want a copywriter just to pop some text in the design. They're not too bright and you don't want their business.

Which brings up a final point. You be the one to select the client. The client does not choose you. There are lots of prospective clients out there. You don't have to depend on any one of them.

Setting your copywriting fees takes experience. You have to know your market, your competition and lots of other variables.

But you have an unfair advantage if you know what other copywriters are charging for the same kind of projects.

That's why I recommend you get a copy of Chris Marlow’s 2007 Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey Volume 2. It's a supplement to her Volume 1, which is the copywriting fees bible.

Her survey gives you much precious information about how much copywriters earn and charge. I consider this a must-have and there's nothing like it anywhere. It's truly the exclusive bible of copywriting fees.

If you are serious about setting the right fees when you give your proposals, I suggest you get a copy of this report.

Find out more about Chris Marlow's 2007 Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey Volume 2 now. It's the smartest move you'll make this year. And it's an investment that can pay for itself immediately.

Get your copy of Chris Marlow's 2007 Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey here.