How much to charge for a blog post
Discussing money can be very difficult and figuring out how much to charge for a blog post can be a real stumbling block for bloggers. Often we under value ourselves and that leads us to a lack of confidence when we’re discussing our rates.
If you’re feeling like this, don’t worry you’re not alone. Most of us have difficulty talking about money—especially when it comes to quoting prices for our own work. But if you’re going to run a successful blog biz, you’ll have to get over it.
Tops tips for discussing rates like a pro
Practice
This might sound a little odd, but the first rule for declaring your prices with confidence is simply to practice. Talk to yourself around the house. Stand in front of your mirror and say, “I charge £XXX.00 per post.”
The more you say your rates out loud (not in your head) the more natural it will be for you.
Smile
The tone of voice changes when you smile (as does the “tone” of your typing), and that tone can convey confidence and authority, not to mention professionalism.
So even if you’re on the phone or writing an email, smile when you say your rates. I will also make you relax more.
Avoid being vague
Listen to yourself as you speak to potential clients. Do you say things like, “Well, normally I charge…” or “Actually, my rates are…” or “Do you think that £XX.00 will work for you?”
These (and others like them) are all too vague. They also show the potential client that you are not confident and so they won’t feel confident in your ability. They will also pick up the weakness in your confidence as a way in to reduce the rate they’ll offer you.
So, rather than saying something like “Um, I charge, like £150 for a sponsored post”, straighten your back, take a deep breathe, smile, and say, “My rate for a sponsored post is £150. Where should I send your invoice?” Then…
Don’t speak
When I worked in advertising sales, my old boss said at this point in a negotiation, the ‘first one to speak hangs themselves’ and that has stuck with me over 20 years later. When we’re stressed or nervous, we tend to talk too much in an attempt to try to fill those awkward silences. Just to avoid having to sit there uncomfortably and wonder what the other person is thinking.
But guess what? They are just as uncomfortable with the silence, and psychologically, the one who speaks first is at a disadvantage. So when you’re talking price, avoid the urge to fill the silence (especially because you’re most likely to try to justify your pricing) and let your potential client take time to respond. This will also be apparent when discussing rates via email.
This doesn’t mean you’ll always get the gig. However, being able to share your fees with confidence and clarity will help potential clients know that you’re confident in your skills, in turn making working with you more appealing.
How much to charge for a blog post?
It can be really difficult to decide on fees for your work, especially when you’re just starting out.
You’ve got the competition to consider, your own skill set, what you perceive to be your skills (yes, this is different from the former for most of us), what your market will pay, your location, and a host of other variables. Working it out can feel like a hurdle you can’t quite get past.
But what about all those other questions? Creating a solid pricing structure requires you to do a little more digging. So with your starting number in line, take a look at:
Your competition
This might take a little detective work, since a lot of bloggers and service providers don’t publish rates. But if you pay attention to their websites and social media, ask a few discreet questions, and you can figure it out.
Be realistic about who, exactly, your competition is, though. Don’t undervalue or over-sell yourself. In other words, make sure you’re comparing yourself to another provider who shares the same skills, market, and track record, rather than simply looking at who you strive to become.
Your skills
In some fields, this is easy. There are certifications and educational programs that allow you—by virtue of having achieved them—to charge a certain rate. If you’ve followed this path, then pricing will be easy for you. If not, take a solid look at what you can legitimately claim as a skill.
Look, too, at your track record. Have you proven yourself working with brands (and do you have the testimonials and case studies to show for it)? These are all reasons to maybe consider a higher price range than you might have first thought.
Your market
In the game of setting rates, it’s your market that has the final say. As any first year economy student can tell you, the price of anything lies where what the buyer is willing to pay meets what the seller is willing to accept.
If your goal is to help new companies, then unfortunately means you can look forward to low paying gigs. That’s not a bad thing—everyone has to begin somewhere—but it does need to be acknowledged. If, on the other hand, you’re target market is more established and economically stable, then a higher fee isn’t just warranted—it’s a must. They will expect a higher price, and will not find value in the lowest-cost provider of anything, whether it’s coffee beans or marketing.
Finally, don’t forget that pricing is never set in stone. It’s flexible. If you find you’re attracting the wrong market (or no market at all) you can always change your rates. Working too hard for not enough return? Raise your rates.
It’s your business. You get to call the shots. Did you struggle when deciding how much to charge for a blog post?
