“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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