How to work with a freelancer: pricing

This is the last in a series of posts on how to determine if a freelance writer is experienced (and why “freelance” isn’t a dirty word).

It’s time to talk pricing.

If you’re hiring a freelancer on a project basis, they should be able to offer per-deliverable pricing and possibly bulk discounts. If those projects go well and you want to reserve their time on an ongoing basis, they’ll also be able to offer a retainer option.

Per-deliverable prices should be based on the project scope. After discussing scope in your initial communications, including a discovery call, the freelancer should be able to provide a statement of work that covers what’s included and what’s not. For example, I don’t include design work with my content services.

A statement of work (SOW) will also delineate how many rounds of review, meetings, and interviews are included in the deliverable/contract prices. SOWs can also include how much à la cart extras will cost. These extras could include extra meetings, rounds of review, and optional subject matter interviews.

Projects can veer off-course for many reasons, but if the writer specifies in the beginning what will happen if it does, everyone knows what to expect.

I hope these posts have helped clarify what to look for and what to expect when choosing a writer for your project. If you have any questions on aspects that I haven’t covered, please let me know in the comments.