An Easy Framework for Setting Your Freelance Writing Rates

Ever had that moment where the excitement of hearing back from a client turns into panic?

It usually comes down to one dreaded question: “What are your rates?”

For seasoned freelancers, the answer is second nature.

But if you’re new, or trying to raise your income, it can feel like a trap.

Charge too much, and you risk losing the client. Charge too little, and you’re stuck working for scraps.

Most freelancers panic here. And when they panic?

They undersell themselves.

How to Set Your Freelance Writing Rates

In this post, we’re going to show you how to set your freelancing rates in 7 steps:

• Step 1: How much money do you (realistically) need to make a month?
• Step 2: How many hours can you (realistically) work in a month?
• Step 3: Come up with a rough hourly rate
• Step 4: Figure out how long each job takes
• Step 5: Come up with a simple formula
• Step 6: Add more time and/or more money
• Step 7: Raise and repeat

Ready to dig in?

Watch this Video About Rates FIRST

Before jumping into the step-by-step below, I’d encourage you to watch this video about charging what you’re worth.

This is an honest conversation you need to have with yourself, and it will make the rest of this much easier if you have a clear idea of what your skill level truly is for the work you’re planning to do:

Freelance writing rates are inherently personal

One of the most common questions I’ve gotten over the years is “I just got a writing offer — what should I charge?”

I get it. On the surface, it feels like an easy question.

But here’s the truth: there isn’t a single right answer. Your rates depend on a mix of factors:

• Your skill level

• Your portfolio

• Your niche

• Where you live

• Your expenses

• The time it takes you to do the work (research, writing, editing, etc.)

That’s why I can’t just say, “Charge $125” and send you on your way.

What works for me might not work for you — especially if you have higher expenses, a family, or a mortgage to think about. Too many freelancers overlook these personal factors, and it leads them to undercharge.

The solution isn’t to copy someone else’s rates. You need to understand your own baseline and build from there.

Freelance Writing Rates: A Framework

Over the years, I’ve read a ton on this topic, partly to figure it out for myself, and partly to give a better answer to the constant “What should I charge?” questions.

And while there’s no perfect formula that works for everyone, this simple framework will give you a solid starting point.

Step 1: How much money do you (realistically) need to make a month?

Start with your budget and expenses.

If you’re just testing the waters, your first goal might be a smaller side income — say $1,000/month.

Long term, maybe your target is $5,000/month so you can replace your job.

Step 2: How many hours can you (realistically) work in a month?

This is where most people overestimate. Between a full-time job and family obligations, your time is limited.

When I first started freelance writing, I was working 8:30–4:30 with no kids. I could squeeze in another two hours most evenings and a few more hours on weekends. That added up to about 40 hours per month.

For many people, 10 hours a week is a realistic starting point — enough to make progress without burning out.

Step 3: Come up with a rough hourly rate

Now it’s time to put numbers together.

If your goal is $1,000 per month and you’ve got 40 hours to work with, the math is simple:

$1,000 ÷ 40 = $25 per hour

That number is your baseline — not necessarily what you’ll charge clients, but a floor to work from.

So as you’re pitching clients, try asking for $35 an hour. That gives you wiggle room to negotiate and still land on top.

If you already have experience or specialized skills (copywriting, B2B writing, etc.), your baseline can be much higher. Think $75-100/hour or more, not $25.

Why this matters:

• It gives you a jumping-off point to adjust up or down.

• It helps you avoid saying yes to rates that are too low.

• It makes pricing feel less random; you’ve got a formula, not a guess.

Step 4: Figure out how long each job takes

This is where a lot of freelancers underestimate things. When you’re new, everything takes longer than you expect. That’s normal AND you need to build it into your rates.

A couple of rules to keep in mind:

• Expect projects to take more time at first.

• Don’t let a small assignment eat up your entire day. Set limits.

Also remember, writing isn’t just typing words. Every project comes with hidden time costs, like:

• Communicating with the client

• Researching the topic

• Outlining the post

• Drafting

• Editing

That’s why charging “per word” usually sells you short. Creating a solid product includes a lot more than just writing words.

Here’s a sample breakdown to give you an idea:

• 500–600 word blog post: ~2 hours

• 700–1,000 word blog post: ~3 hours

• 1,500 word blog post: ~4 hours

• 1 autoresponder email: ~1 hour

• 10 social posts: ~1 hour

And so on.

This isn’t a universal guide.

Your times may be faster or slower depending on your experience, research load, and the niche you’re writing in.

Track your time as you go, and adjust these numbers until you have realistic estimates for your own workflow.

This is not a guide.

Remember, it’s how long it takes you to do things, so adjust accordingly.

Step 5: Come up with a simple formula

Now that you know your baseline hourly rate and how long projects take, you can set a clear price.

For example, you’re interested in a LinkedIn ghostwriting gig, the process of researching what to write, creating posts in your client’s voice, and editing takes 3 hours.

If it takes you 3 hours and your base rate is $25/hour, the math is simple:

3 hours × $25 = $75 for the project.

That number becomes your bare minimum floor.

But here’s the important shift, you’re not charging clients by the hour. You’re pricing by the project. That way, you’re rewarded for efficiency as you get faster — not penalized.

Think of this floor as a safety net. You may adjust up depending on the client, niche, or project scope, but you should rarely (if ever) go below it.

This is where a lot of freelancers get stuck. They keep saying yes to $10 blog posts, undervalue their time, and burn out before they ever build momentum. The sooner you recognize your time and expertise are worth more, the sooner you’ll move into projects that actually pay the bills.

Step 6: Add more time and/or more money

Once you know your floor rate, there are two smart adjustments you should always make:

1. Add buffer time.

New projects almost always take longer than you expect — especially with a new client, niche, or format. Build that extra time into your pricing so you don’t end up working for free.

2. Ask for more money.

Most clients will negotiate down. That means you should start higher than your floor so you land where you want.

Here’s how that plays out:

Scenario 1 (no buffer, no markup):

Client: “How much to write these LinkedIn posts?”

You: “$75.”

Client: “Our budget is $60.”

Now you’re already below your floor, and you’re stuck.

Scenario 2 (add buffer, raise price):

Client: “How much to write these LinkedIn posts?”

You: “$125.”

Client: “Our budget is $110 — can you do it?”

You’ve covered your floor, added margin, and still come out ahead.

The key is to practice this from the start. It feels uncomfortable to ask for more, but most of the time the client expects it.

And if they say no? That’s fine. You can keep negotiating (while staying above your floor) or walk away and save your time for clients who value what you do.

Step 7: Raise and repeat

Every time you land a project above your floor, that number becomes your new baseline.

You’re no longer the writer who charges $75 for a couple of LinkedIn posts — you’re the writer who charges $110. With your next client, maybe that number is $150.

Do this consistently, and your rates climb from $25/hour to $50, $100, and beyond. That’s how freelancers replace their income, quit their jobs, and build stable businesses.

It’s exactly the process I followed as I moved into higher paid writing — step by step, client by client, floor by floor.

Setting Rates for Today’s Market

One thing to keep in mind: the market is shifting fast.

AI writing tools have made some clients think they can get content for pennies. You’ll run into people who expect blog posts for $20 or who compare your work to what a chatbot spits out.

This is where your positioning matters. Don’t compete with AI. Instead, emphasize what it can’t do:

• Bring expertise from your background or niche.

• Interview subject-matter experts and translate complex ideas.

• Tell stories that build trust and drive sales.

Some clients will expect bargain rates because they think AI can do the work. Don’t compete with AI. Lean into what it can’t do: your expertise, interviews, and trust-building.

That’s the difference between a $50 post and a $500 one.

Some Final Caveats to Setting Your Rates

This isn’t the only way to set your rates. It might not even be the perfect way for you.

The point is to start with a system, track your income and expenses, and keep adjusting until you’re confident you’re getting paid what your time and skills are worth.

Sean Ogle

Sean Ogle is the Founder of Location Rebel where he has spent the last 12+ years teaching people how to build online businesses that give them the freedom to do more of the things they like to do in life. When he's not in the coffee shops of Portland, or the beaches of Bali, he's probably sneaking into some other high-class establishment where he most certainly doesn't belong.