How Much Does a Freelance Writer Cost?

As demand increases, businesses and organisations need to understand freelance rates to budget effectively and ensure fair compensation for high-quality content.

The cost of hiring a freelance health writer can vary depending on several factors, including the writer’s experience, the complexity of the content, the level of research required, and the pricing model used. 

This article looks at how much you can expect to pay a freelance writer.

Freelance Writer Rates

Knowing the different models (per post, per word, retainer agreements) helps organisations choose the most cost-effective and fair pricing structure based on their content needs. It also helps manage expectations, ensuring the scope of work is clearly defined from the beginning, whether for short-term projects or long-term partnerships.

Per Post Rate

Freelance health writers may charge by the post for projects like blog posts, social media content, or articles. This pricing model is ideal when clients need regular, consistent content, such as weekly or monthly blog posts. Rates are typically based on word count, complexity, and research required.

Typical Pricing Ranges:

• Short Posts (300-800 words): £60 to £250+ ($75 to $300+) per post. These posts usually cover less complex topics or lighter health content (e.g., wellness tips, and summaries of recent trends).
• Long Posts (800-2,000+ words): £200 to £800+ ($250 to $1,000+) per post. Longer posts often involve more in-depth research, detailed health information, case studies, or references to medical sources (e.g., white papers, deep dives into health conditions, research-backed articles).

Per Word Rate

Some writers work at a ‘per word’ rate. This model allows for flexibility and is based on the complexity of the topic, the research required, and the writer’s experience.

Standard Rates in the Health and Wellness Niche:

• Beginner Writers: £0.07 to £0.20 ($0.10 to $0.25) per word (suitable for more straightforward wellness topics or general advice).
• Intermediate Writers: £0.25 to £0.55 ($0.30 to $0.75) per word (often for content requiring moderate research and SEO).
• Advanced Writers: £0.60 to £0.75+ ($0.80 to $1.00+) per word (for specialised or highly technical topics, deep research, or expert interviews).

I don’t charge by the word but rather using a word range. Most people in the industry that I know are similar. This is for a number of reasons, but for me it’s:

Health and wellness content often involves complex topics, requiring deep research, fact-checking, and sometimes consulting experts. A per-word rate doesn’t account for the time spent on research.

Some health topics can be adequately explained in fewer words but still offer high value to the client. For example, a short, concise article with expert-backed information might be more beneficial than a long, drawn-out post. A per-word rate doesn’t reflect the value of the impact of the content.

For projects like medical case studies, white papers, or product descriptions, the value is in the content’s accuracy, depth, and professionalism, not the length. Charging per project or post can better reflect the value of this type of content.

Retainers

A retainer is a pre-agreed payment model where a client reserves a freelancer’s time for a set amount of work each month. This model works well for ongoing projects where a client needs consistent content but doesn’t want to manage separate contracts or invoices for every project.

The benefits of a retainer agreement for clients include:

• Ensures the writer is available to meet the client’s needs.
• It can guarantee faster turnaround times.
• Provides a consistent stream of content, reducing the need to constantly negotiate and schedule content production.

Examples of a Monthly Retainer

• 10 Blog Posts Per Month (500-800 words each): A client might pay a retainer fee of £1,150 to £2,300 ($1,500 to $3,000) per month for a set number of posts.
• 10 Hours of Content Creation or Consultation: Some retainers are structured by hours rather than posts, allowing flexibility in the type of work done.

What Is Included In The Rate?

Typically, writers will include the following things in their rate, but you should always check the scope of work to be sure:

• Research and Fact-Checking: Health writers typically include comprehensive research to ensure the content is accurate, credible, and up-to-date with the latest guidelines, studies, or medical sources.
• Revisions (Number of Rounds): Many freelance health writers include a set number of revisions, usually 1-2 rounds, within their quoted price to ensure the client is satisfied with the final product.
• SEO Optimisation: This often includes keyword research, integrating keywords naturally into the content, writing meta descriptions, and ensuring the piece follows best SEO practices to improve search engine rankings.
• Formatting and Adherence to Style Guides: Freelancers typically format the content according to client specifications, such as following a particular style guide (e.g., AP, AMA, or a brand-specific guide) or preparing it for web publishing (e.g., headers, subheaders, bulleted lists).
• Client Meetings or Consultations: They might include initial meetings, check-ins, or consultations to understand the project scope, client preferences, or specific guidelines.

Factors That Influence The Cost

Additional services that may incur extra costs include:

• Rush Deadlines: If the client requires content urgently, the freelance writer may charge an extra fee to prioritise the project.
• Extra Revisions: While most writers offer a set number of revisions, additional rounds beyond this limit usually come with an additional fee.
• Deep-Dive Research: In-depth research on highly technical or complex topics, including interviews with subject matter experts or extensive sourcing, might increase the overall cost of the project.
• Formatting for Different Platforms: Special formatting requirements, such as content for social media, newsletters, or custom templates, can sometimes incur extra fees.
• Experience and Credentials: Writers with certifications in health, medical backgrounds, or specialised knowledge (e.g., nutrition, fitness, mental health) tend to charge higher rates.
• SEO and Digital Strategy: Some writers who incorporate SEO strategies (keyword research, meta descriptions) may charge more for optimising content for search engines.

Final Thoughts

Different writers charge different amounts, but knowing what you get for the cost is super important. Factors like research, SEO, and revisions may be included or incur extra costs. Staying within the agreed scope of work helps clients know exactly what they’re paying for and avoid unexpected fees.

Transparent Rates

My pricing details are clearly listed on my website, so when you choose to work with me, you’ll have full transparency and know exactly what you’ll be investing in each project. Whether it’s a one-time assignment or ongoing content, there are no surprises – just clear, upfront rates. Ready to collaborate on your next project? I’d love to hear about your goals and how I can help. Feel free to drop me an email or schedule a free discovery call so we can discuss how I can support your content needs and bring your ideas to life!

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