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Getting better words #2. The price is right… isn’t it?

The first blog in our ‘Getting better words’ series busted a few myths about how to choose the right writer for your project. This time round, we explore how to cost a writing project accurately. Yes, it can be tricky – but it doesn’t have to be.

In two important respects, paying for writing is much the same as paying for anything:

1. You want value for money – to pay the right amount for the right results, but no more than you need to.
2. You want certainty – to know exactly how much you’re going to pay, with no hidden extras or nasty surprises.

But with writing, getting value and certainty isn’t always easy (and you definitely won’t get them by asking for daily or hourly rates). If you’re not used to working with writers, how do you know what sort of costs to expect? How do you make sure any quotes or estimates you get reflect the realities of the work involved? And that the costs won’t start going up when it’s too late to stop the writer?

The secret is to give the writer the information they need to work out an accurate quote. Things like… the purpose of the project… the format of what’s needed… the type of brief they’ll get… what source material they’ll have to work with (if any). Then there are logistical questions, such as: When is it needed? Will there be meetings? And if so, how many and where?

Yes, there’s a lot to think about when getting a writing quote, so we’ve dedicated a whole chapter to it in our new ebook, ‘The coffee-break guide to getting better words’. Along with other thoughts you might find helpful, on choosing a writer, briefing them, judging their work, and more.

Download our money-saving, time-saving, project-transforming ebook here.