What Should You Charge: Corporate Writing
Don’t undervalue your time and undercharge for an assignment. Here’s how to get it right. by I.J. Schecter
Most corporate projects are calculated by the hour but charged as a flat fee. Once the prospective client has given you a description of what she needs, you then figure out how long you think it will take and come up with an estimate. Eventually you’ll get to a point where you can accurately determine how long a project will take you, but for now, add 20 percent to your initial estimate (trust me: It’s going to take longer than you think). Quote your fee as a single figure (i.e., not broken down by hours).
A standard range of hourly rates, as well as flat estimates for projects of various types, can be found in resources like Writer’s Market, or via a little Internet searching. Position yourself within that range, and let the quoting begin.
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