“How much do you charge to write a white paper?”
By Michael StelznerEmily from Boston called and said, “I have a rather odd and forward question for you: How much do you charge to write a white paper?” I knew by the way the question was framed, this was not someone looking to hire me, but rather a writer wondering what to charge her client.
My answer to her question was actually some more questions. “Are you a freelance writer?” I asked. She explained she is a marketing consultant who also does writing and she wanted to price the white paper appropriately for her client.
When you are pricing a white paper, you should answer some of the following questions:
- How long have you been a writer?
- Have you written other white papers?
- Do you bill by the hour, the page or the project?
- How much time will it take to produce a white paper?
- What are the going market prices for white papers?
There really are no simple answers to the question “What should I charge?” I explained to Emily that what I charge to write a white paper will not really answer her question. Why? Because I have some experience that justifies a higher price than most other writers.
The good news is I did not leave Emily hanging. There are a few great resources that anyone who wants to sell white paper writing services should examine:
White Paper Writer Industry Survey: This is a study of more than 500 white paper writers and includes details about the time and prices writers charge for white papers based on experience levels. This is the only report ever focused on white papers exclusively.
Freelance Copywriter Fee & Compensation Survey: This is a study by Chris Marlow and it covers nearly all types of writing projects. There are some profiles of well-known writers and their fees for white paper in this report.
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June 7th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I’m called Ntarugera François. I’m now becoming 50 years old.I was born during the war but I kept closing my eyes just because not only I was still young but just because I wanted to live first rather than throwing myself in to confused civil war. In 1976, I made my mind clear and took decision to join other youth to mobilize & sensitize people about political change by then. I decided to take my pen first as journalist rather taking a bullet. I’m now back to my country where I exercise the art of journalism. It is an easy task in Rwanda for a journalist.The market is still very low, political climate still fragile for a country which comes from genocide world history. I spend all my day trying to figure out what kind of story that does cope with the current political climate where illiteracy is over 53% of the whole population. But above all this, I liked your style of setting your writings.
Just keep your spirit up.
If you can blog this in one of your Newsletters that would be fine for me and for other people who just dormant wondering how they can make their stories be known worldwide.
I’ve no doubt that this is going to be done by you.
June 7th, 2008 at 1:29 am
I really like the way you are so fast&professional in writing white paper.
More to come whenever I’ll be inspired by different people like you and through my personal experience in the world thinking line.
Ntarugera François
Mob:(250)08500199
June 7th, 2008 at 1:33 am
I’m through now . you can share this information with whoever you think may be necessary