Topic: how much to charge ?

[Car]

I've approached a publisher about doing some freelance content editing for them. They're interested in giving it a try but want to know how much I think would be a fair amount per hour. I always assumed people charged by the project so I have no idea what the going rate is or what to tell them. (I mean, I have *some* idea of what I'd like to get but I don't know if that's reasonable or not.) Anyone have any ideas or resources I could check out?

Thanks! Feel free to PM, too, if you have any insight. I appreciate the help.

Car

[JodyJS]

Hi Car,

I had a similar situation earlier this week, but mine was for freelance writing.  I didn't know what to charge, either (I'd always done projects where the amount was set by the client).  So I googled freelance writing rates and got lots of information.  I gave my potential client a figure in the middle of the range I found.  Good luck!

Jody

[Betsy]

My advice is to see if you can charge for the project, as Jody says.  How are you ever going to charge by the hour?  That just doesn't work for writing, and you'll probably end up getting way too little. 

I don't know about you, but I sometimes spend quite a bit of time thinking about a project, running down research leads, rewriting, rewording, etc.  It's hard to explain to all that to a potential employer.  The actual time you put in doing the writing is usually the least of it.

[Vijaya]

I'm getting good at judging how much time I'll need for research and writing, and I shoot for $50/hr. Sometimes I grossly underestimate the time for research, and in that case, at least I'm getting paid $25/hr. But that's my minimum. If publishers offer anything less for a project, I decide how much I love the project vs. the money.

Good luck, Car.
Vijaya

[Anne Marie]

I was going to say $50 an hour, and Vijaya knows way more than I do. 

[Betsy]

I'm with Vijaya too.  I'd say $50 an hour is about right.