Australian copywriters charge a rate that is:
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1. Hourly |
2. Per Word |
3. Fixed |
4. Daily. |
Hourly rates are common for small projects, whilst a fixed or per word rate, is common for medium to large projects.
Daily rates are less common and tend to be used by agencies.
Ultimately: A copywriter will set their own rates but let’s explain more.
Read on or use the table of contents to ‘jump’ to a specific section in the post.
Table of Contents
The Foundations of a Copywriters Rate
A copywriter must find a rate that is a balance between:
- Earning enough
- Attracting clients.
And once that ‘balance’ is found, it’s critical for a copywriter to always be upfront and transparent with their rates to:
- Gain the trust (of clients)
- Win (more clients).
1. Hourly Rate
Below is a table for your reference – as per guidelines from the Clever Copywriting School.
Level | Experience (years) | Hourly Rate ($AUD) |
Junior | 0-2 years | $70-$100 / hour |
Mid | 2-4 years | $100-$130 / hour |
Senior | 4+ years | $130-$240 / hour |
2. Word Rate
Charging by the ‘word’ may sound great, but do you really want your copywriter:
- Sweating
- Counting words!
Because the likely outcome of a copywriter charging a word rate, is ‘fluff’ and ‘filler’, rather than concise copy, that is:
- High-quality
- Persuasive
- Gets results.
Takeaway: To avoid copy that doesn’t suck – avoid the word rate.
3. Fixed Rate
A flat fee is charged for the entire job, that includes:
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Fundamental process by any copywriter to winning copy – great guide on it here by
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Experience |
Success through proven methods are the benefits of copywriters with more experience.
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Specialisation |
Knowledge in a ‘niche’ area of copywriting is an asset and can result in higher charges.
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Demand |
Results = demand = popularity and thus, these copywriters, may charge higher.
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Delivery Time |
Shorter turnaround times may incur a ‘rush fee’ to compensate the copywriter having to work extra hours.
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Job Difficulty |
Execution of more difficult jobs by a copywriter adds stress to workload and can result in higher charges.
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Content Type |
All content is different in copywriting, and hence a 500 word blog post, will cost more than a 500 word landing page.
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Client Status |
Rate differentiation may exist; depending on whether you’re a small business, agency or corporate brand.
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Location |
Cost of living varies Australia wide and can result in a copywriter charging higher accordingly.
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Education |
Qualifications and completion of courses by a copywriter may result in higher charges.
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4. Daily Rate
The daily rate tends to be used more by agencies and is more suited to particular jobs.
If per hour, per word, and a fixed rate are not suitable, then consider the daily rate.
Deposits are Common
It’s common for a copywriter to take a deposit ranging from 20-50% to:
- Lock in the project (at a future date)
- Start the project.
And if the job is under a certain value (say $300 for e.g.) – it’s standard for the full amount to be invoiced upfront.
After the copywriting work is complete, a copywriter will generally have 7–14-day payment terms for invoices.
How to Determine Pricing (10 Factors)
Below is a table of 10 factors you need to consider when setting ‘pricing’ as a copywriter.
1. Research Competitors | Be prepared to get ‘clever’ in determining competitor pricing, because it’s not always transparent.
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2. Liveable Wage | Cost of living in Australia is high and your earnings must be enough to cover expenses.
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3. Experience | Justification of your rate is easier with more experience and so be realistic about it.
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4. Supply & Demand | Classic supply and demand curve 101. If In-demand, then charge a little higher and
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5. Content Type | Website copy – blog posts – landing pages – the list is endless and in the world of copywriting, not all copy is equal.
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6. Client Deadline | Client pushing a tight deadline? Raising of your rate should be considered, for extra time spent to meet it.
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7. Job Difficulty | Compensate yourself by raising your rate as you’ll need to invest more time and you’ll either: Lose the job = Not care (because you didn’t want it) Be happy = As you are paid more money.
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8. Client Affordability | Case-by-case changing of your rate is a judgement call, any business owner must make, to prosper.
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9. Client Type | Charge higher for larger clients and vice versa. In theory this sounds good, but it puts your reputation at stake.
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10. Fun Factor | Time passes quickly when you’re having fun, and so charging less for these jobs, is an option.
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Ballpark Quotes Are Useful
So you’ve got a stack of work to do and a client calls you up about a job, and is:
- Light on details
- Unclear on what they want.
Rather than wasting a lot of time:
- Trying to probe them / isolate what they want
- Spending time on a proposal
You can give them a ‘ballpark quote’, which will quickly determine if they are serious about working with you.
And when you give a ball-park quote:
- Go to the highest-level
- Factor in you have little information (before giving the quote).
Tip: Kate Toon (The Clever Copywriting School) offers a useful tip and that is try saying: “Previous jobs I’ve worked on like this came in at around $XXX. Does that sound about right?”
For more on the advantages of ballpark pricing, check out this useful post, by Louise Harnby.
Copywriting is a Unique Skill
Copywriting is 80% art and 20% science, as discussed here.
And while any copywriter can learn the 20% science quickly, it’s the ‘80% art’ that will maximise return on investment for your business.
So don’t underestimate a copywriters ability to:
- Captivate
- Engage
- Persuade
With concise copy that gets results.
Because when you ‘value’ a copywriter’s skillset by remunerating them appropriately, they will create more value for you in return.
Conclusion
When it comes to setting copywriting rates, there is no right or wrong answer, but remember:
- Consistency is key
- Your reputation is everything
- The copywriting industry is small.
So ‘take initiative’ and ‘determine your own pricing method, but just don’t be that copywriter, that is talked about all over town for inconsistent pricing!
Over to You…
Do you agree with this Copywriting Rates Australia: Guide? Or is there something missing, or you would like to add?? Would love to hear from you in the comments – any feedback is greatly appreciated.
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