Choose the price unit first
There are three common units: per word, per page, and per project. Per-word pricing is clearest for translation, because the volume of work can be counted; but for creative text, where the idea matters more than the volume, it falls short. Per-page pricing works when the definition of a page is fixed — how many words per page, with what line spacing? Per-project pricing suits combined work best: research, writing, revision and delivery in one number. Agree the unit with the client and write the same unit on the invoice; two different units in the proposal and the invoice create disputes.
To choose your rate, start from your costs, not from a competitor's rate. Divide the monthly income you aim for by the number of words or projects you can really deliver, and you get your floor rate. Then compare it with the market: if your floor is above the market, either raise your volume or offer something different; if it is below, you have room to raise it.
Rush rates, revisions and samples: three golden clauses
Set the rush rate separately: urgent delivery needs more focus and stress, and should cost more. One clear example: a standard rate for three-day delivery, and a higher rate for one-day delivery; choose the percentage yourself and announce it before starting. Define revisions too: how many rounds are included in the price, and a revision means fixing the existing translation or text, not writing a fresh text. Samples have their own rule: short and specific, stated to be for evaluation, with ownership staying with you until a contract is signed.
- Rush rate: a clear number or percentage for urgent delivery, announced before starting.
- Revisions: the number of rounds and the definition of a revision, in the contract.
- Samples: short, with a clear purpose, and ownership reserved until a contract is signed.
- Text ownership: ownership transfers after full settlement, not before.
Answer a price inquiry like a form
When a client asks “how much?”, do not rush. First ask five questions: how large is the work, what is the topic and its level of specialization, when is the deadline, what condition is the source file in, and who handles revisions? Then give the quote in writing: volume, price unit, rate, total, deposit, deadline and revision count. A written quote has two benefits: the client can compare it, and you can later say “under the quote, this is out of scope”.
- Ask about volume, topic and deadline.
- Work out your own floor rate and compare with it.
- Give a written quote with total, deposit and revisions.
- Make starting work conditional on quote approval and deposit payment.
- Deliver with the final invoice and a statement of account.
Common pricing mistakes for writers and translators
| Mistake | Why it hurts | The right way |
|---|---|---|
| Quoting without seeing the text | The real volume and difficulty are unknown | See a sample of the text before quoting |
| Unlimited revisions | The project never ends | Write the number of rounds in the contract |
| A long free sample | Free work becomes a habit | Give a short, specific sample |
| Starting without a deposit | The client vanishes mid-project | Deposit before starting, in writing |
One point about text credit: if the translation or article is published under your name, put final-review rights and credit in the contract. If it is published under the client's name, its price is different, because your professional credit is not visible in it. Make this difference clear at the start.
A checklist for starting any writing project
- The price unit and rate are agreed and written down.
- Volume, deadline, revision count and deposit are fixed.
- Text ownership and credit are in the contract.
- I have received the source file and reference samples.
- I have sent the client a staged delivery schedule.
Honestly: a good rate does not bring clients; it only stops low-paid work and repeated disputes. Clients come from strong samples and on-time delivery. But without a correct rate and contract, the more you write, the less you earn per word — and that is a road to exhaustion, not progress.