• What Is Copywriting?
    • Why Copywriting is One of the Most Enjoyable, Flexible Careers
    • Answers to Your Top Questions About Copywriting
  • Blog
    • Most Popular
    • Mindset & Professional Development
    • Portfolio
    • Business Development
    • Book Recommendations
    • Pitching
    • Copywriting Tips
    • Terms to Know
  • Podcast
    • Latest Episodes
    • Top Episodes for New Copywriters
    • Student Stories
  • Copywriting Course
    • Learn About the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy
    • CCA Student Sign In
    • CCA Next Level
  • CCA Reviews
    • CCA Student Wins
    • Videos: CCA Student Reviews
  • Store
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • About Nicki Krawczyk
    • Press
  • Contact Us

Filthy Rich Writer

Tips, tools, & training for new and aspiring copywriters.

Tips, Tools and Training for New and Aspiring Copywriters

  • What does “Filthy Rich” mean? It means having a job you love, being good at what you do…and making great money doing it!

What Do You Bill For? (And What Don’t You?)

By Nicki Krawczyk Leave a Comment

A nickel stands up on its edge with several nickels sitting on the table beside it while a deep violet color takes up the background.

Today’s question has to do with a tricky subject for most writers: money, moola, cash-ola. Many of us, even the Filthy Rich ones, have a hard time figuring out how to charge for our services.

When you’re working with a client who has an office that’s far away from you—and they expect you to occasionally come in for meetings—do you charge them? Do you charge for meetings in general? Do you line item revisions?

As a sought-after professional (even if you’re just becoming a sought-after professional), your time is valuable and shouldn’t be given away for free.

At the same time, though, clients don’t like to feel like they’re being nickeled and dimed for charges like travel time, meetings, phone calls, etc. Are we at an impasse? No way!

Charge Clients by the Project

When you create your cost estimates for the projects you work on for them, build the time it takes for these meetings into the cost. For example, if you do a project and you’re figuring it will take you 10 hours to write it, 2 hours to edit it, and 6 hours of travel and meeting time at $50/hour, tell them that the project will cost them $900. Then it’s up to you to balance your time and effort within that amount.

Quoting clients a project price instead of an hourly rate also helps to make their lives easier: They know they’ll just need to give you one check, instead of looking at an itemized list of how you’ve spent your time for the various parts of the project. (Plus, it’s a real pain in the rear for you to keep that itemized list!)

What to Leave Off of Your Project Quote

When you’re quoting a price to a client, you want to make sure they know what they’re getting for the price. So, you do need to include exactly what you’re going to deliver to them. For example, if you’re writing a 5-page website, you may say:

5-page website to include:

  • Homepage
  • About Page
  • Contact Page
  • 2 Product Pages

(Plus, if you’re writing this out and they agree, it can serve as a legally binding agreement in the US.)

But, you don’t need to list out every meeting or the number of emails you plan to respond to. Of course, you want to get as clear as possible if your client anticipates wanting you on calls beyond the kickoff and creative review calls.

The one thing you may want to spell out is the number of revisions that are included in your rate. Our answer is always, “as many as it takes to get it right.” Your client is hiring you to deliver. As part of that, you want to make sure they’re thrilled with your work.

If they change the scope of the work after already agreeing to the project, then you need to send them a new scope of work—and project price.

Find Solutions That Work for Both You & Your Client

By the way, if you find yourself having to spend a lot of time driving to their office, you’re well within your rights to propose making some of the meetings conference calls instead of in-person. You’re providing them a service and want to make their lives easier, but it can’t hurt to ask if there are small changes that can also make your life a little easier, too.

Your turn! What are your biggest challenges when it comes to pricing your services? Let us know in the comments!

Last Updated on July 4, 2023

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: pricing, rates

Interested in Copywriting? Get our Free Video Training!

Plus, get on the list for updates, freebies, and more :) 



About Nicki Krawczyk

Nicki is a copywriter, copy coach and the founder of Filthy Rich Writer. She's been writing copy for more than 20 years.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click here to subscribe

Click here to subscribe

Comprehensive Copywriting Academy

Join the copywriting training program that's helping people just like you build successful copywriting careers!

Learn more
Comprehensive Copywriting Academy from Filthy Rich Writer

Portfolio Tips

  • Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer and the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast
    Ep. 43: 4 Biggest Copywriter Portfolio Mistakes
  • Home office with desktop computer, tablet, and a mobile
    3 Copywriter Portfolio Examples That Wow Clients
  • Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer and the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast
    Ep. 22: Why Every Copywriter MUST Have an Online Portfolio

Top Resources

  • What is Copywriting?
  • How Much Do Copywriters Actually Make?
  • Is Copywriting Hard to Get Into?
  • Why Copywriting Certificates Are B-S
  • How Soon Can You Make Money as a Copywriter?
  • What Does a Copywriter Actually Do?
  • Copywriting vs. Copyediting: What's the Difference?
  • Avoid the Copywriting Niche Trap
  • Upwork is NOT the Path to Copywriting Success
  • Getting Started in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy

Recent Articles

  • Stacks of quarters sit on top squares of a calendar.
    How Soon Can You Make Money as a Copywriter?
  • Headshot of Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student Courtney Cherry.
    Copywriting Lets This Mom Live Life on Her Own Terms
  • Hand changes wooden cube block from B2C to B2B.
    B2B vs. B2C Copywriting: What to Know
  • A person sketching a retirement plan design
    How Do I Save for Retirement if I Am Self-Employed?
  • Hand lifts up a laptop that sits next to a pink old-fashioned alarm clock on a wooden desk.
    What Are Your Copywriting Business Rules?
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 Filthy Rich Writer | About Us | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy| Business Affiliates