Copyediting rates

According to Entrepreneur Press and freelance author George Sheldon, copyeditors generally charge in the range of $1-$10 a page depending on their level of experience and the extent of the project’s requirements (Entrepreneur Press 108). Manuscripts that require little editing, such as those from experienced authors, should be offered a lower rate, while manuscripts that require extensive editing (or even rewriting) should cost more. Similarly, copyeditors often establish a minimum charge per project, often $15-$25, just to ensure that the work is worth the time invested (Ibid).

Proofreading rates

This is a good time to establish the differences between copyediting and proofreading. Let’s dispel a common myth: copyediting is far more intensive than proofreading, and, in fact, proofreading is the final stage of editing that follows copyediting. To maximize efficiency, established editors will often make several passes through a document, each time focusing on a specific area that needs work, depending on the budget and time constraints of the project.

Because proofreading requires a lower rate of expertise than copyediting, proofreading pays less. It’s common for proofreaders to charge an hourly rate, rather than by the word or page count, for this reason. A low starting rate for a proofreader is $15/hour (Entrepreneur Press 109-110).

How do you get paid?

This is probably one of your first questions if you’re thinking about starting a freelance career. Something you will quickly become adept at is invoicing clients.

Here is a sample invoice created by the professional writing staff at The Write Life:

According to The Write Life, here are the 11 pieces of information your invoices should include:

1. Professional header: This section at the beginning of the document should include your full name (or your business’ if you have one) in an easy-to-read and professional font, like Times New Roman. Include your business logo if you have one, and make this section larger and bolder than the rest of the document for emphasis.
2. Your contact info: Mailing address, email, phone number, website, and business name (if you have one) are the essentials here. Formatting each piece of information on its own line, like a signature block, will make the info easier to locate.
3. Client’s contact info: Include the same information here as you would for yourself, and address it to the client’s full name.
4. Invoice number: Create whatever numbered system makes sense to you to keep track of your invoices.
5. Date prepared: Include the date you sent the invoice to the client so you’ll have a record if any billing disputes arise.
6. Payment due date: Decide when you require payment ahead of time with the client, not only when you send out the invoice. This could be 30, 45, or 60 days as a standard.
7. Payment options: If you work with a client regularly, they may offer the option for direct deposit, but generally it is smart to offer several payment options (like cash, check, card, or PayPal) to each client. If you prefer to receive payment through PayPal, include the address on your invoices to avoid confusion.
8. Payment terms: Many freelancers charge a standard 20% late fee for invoices that are paid past due. It’s good form to remind your client several times after a due date has passed to give them a chance to avoid the fee and maintain a strong client relationship. Be upfront about any fees you set before starting any projects.
9. Services breakdown: Show each service that a client hired you for on each line, include the word count, and specify the price for each service. Tables are a clean and efficient way to show this on an invoice.
10. Amount due
11. Thank you: In the closing of your invoice, thank your client for the opportunity and include any important reminders in this section. This will maximize the chance that you can secure work from the same clients in the future (The Write Life Team).