Dearest gentle freelancer,
Don’t mind me. I still have the new season of Bridgerton in my system.
Last week, I wrote about how you could do better than the “I am a freelance writer” positioning. In this letter, I’ll get into what is typically included in a $500+ article.
Once your positioning gets you in the door and a client says, “Okay, what are your rates?” you might need to give them more than just the price, especially if they can get it cheaper elsewhere.
Here’s an example of how I respond:
Here is what is usually included in my work that makes clients comfortable with the price.
For this example, let’s assume I was asked about SEO content.
1. Pre-writing research
I start by conducting search-intent analysis.
I look at:
What’s already ranking for the target keyword + the intent behind it
What angles competitors are missing
What questions the target audience is asking
What objections come up in sales calls (if I have access to the sales team)
2. SME interviews
I interview people who use the product, sell it, or build it.
The goal of these interviews is to gather insights that don’t exist anywhere else online.
This is what makes the content valuable. Google can’t find this. AI can’t generate this. Only I can get this by actually talking to people.
3. The actual writing
I’m typically writing 1,500-2,000 words. Each piece is expected to have:
Clear structure that matches search intent
Subheadings optimized for scannability and SEO
Real examples and data points from my research
A conclusion that ties back to the client’s business goals
4. SEO optimization
Of course, you can’t forget the machines. To give my articles the best chance of showing up on search, I’m:
Targeting the right keyword based on search intent
Using semantic keywords naturally throughout
Optimizing meta descriptions and title tags
Structuring headings for featured snippets
Adding internal links to relevant pages
5. One round of revisions
Most clients need some tweaks. Maybe they want a different example. Maybe they want to emphasize a different feature.
One round of revisions is included. If they need more than that, it’s usually a sign that the brief wasn’t clear or they don’t actually know what they want.
6. Fast turnaround
I deliver in 5-7 business days from the time I get a clear brief.
Your turn
This week, write down what’s included in your articles at your current rate.
Then ask yourself: what would I need to add or improve to justify charging a higher rate?
Maybe it’s doing better research, conducting SME interviews, or improving your SEO skills.
Pick one thing. Get better at it. Then raise your rates.
See you next week. Or around the ton.
Another Bridgerton reference, sorry 😂
P.S. Next week, I’m talking about client onboarding. Because landing a high-paying client is only half the battle. You need to set up the relationship so they don’t become a problem client later.