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Topic: Copy-Editing Rate Per Page
| Author | Message |
| kaheaN5 | Posted – 5/25/2006 3:15:40 PM | show profile I have a question that I probably should have asked a long time ago. I am currently doing freelance copy-editing/proofreading work for a "small" publishing company (it's international but supposedly considered small compared to other publishers of similar subjects). They paid me per page at a rate that was really low (which they set; it's gone up a little since I started), but I took it as I was desperate to get my foot in the door and get more experience--I only have about 2 years of it now. How much should I be getting per page with my experience? I read somewhere that per-page rates can range from $1 to $3, but the experience level wasn't specified. I'd appreciate any advice--Thank you! |
| artnixie | Posted – 5/25/2006 3:28:28 PM | show profile Work backwards from what you want to make. $25/hr at a minimum. For example, if you can do 10 pp of this content an hour, then 2.50 a page. Make SURE the pages average 250 words per. Don't lewt clients give you some single-spaved or tiny font thing and then give you a page rate. One dollar a page means you'd have to look at 30,000 pages or so a year to make a living. Impossible. |
| pob | Posted – 5/25/2006 10:34:45 PM | show profile What are you getting now? You might get more replies if you tell people what the rate is you're getting. (It is difficult to expect strangers on a board to be generous with their hard-earned information when the person asking the question doesn't give all the information they have.) I've never taken a per-page assignment, although I have done the reverse-math the previous poster suggested to give an estimate to a client, either for the number of hours I think it will take (for an hourly project) or to determine a per-project rate. |
| kaheaN5 | Posted – 5/25/2006 11:48:24 PM | show profile Hi! Thank you both for your comments. I actually didn't post my rate on purpose because I'm pretty embarrased of the fact that I am being paid $1 per page. Obviously I'm not doing it for a living, but for a little extra on the side. As I said before, I didn't have much experience when I started--only a semester's worth of interning--and I couldn't find any information on how much a typical rate per page should be. My situation at home is changing, however, and I need to be making more money. Now I'm stuck because I can't expect the company to agree to a $1.50 pay raise, and I can't find anyone hiring an off-site freelancer (I would like to work from home for at least another year). I'd also prefer to work exclusively with one company, like I am now, because the work is pretty regular--they always have something lined up, so I know I'll get a paycheck every month. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated! |
| kaheaN5 | Posted – 5/25/2006 11:50:44 PM | show profile I forgot to mention again that I do only have about 2 years of experience, if that makes a difference. A lot of the job ads for copy editors I've seen are asking for 3+. |
| Marie | Posted – 5/25/2006 11:59:12 PM | show profile First of all, two years of experience is a decent amount of experience. There is no reason on earth that you can't ask for more money, after you've done the math that the helpful poster advised here. Frankly, I think it's better to charge by the hour, and that rate depends on where you live. If you're in NYC, charge $30/hour (or try to--book publishers do pay less than magazines). Do the math, and ask for a raise. You might not get exactly what you want, but any raise is good. And again, two years of experience copyediting is nothing to demean. There's no such thing as being "locked into a rate," as you say, especially if you've been with a place for two years. Report back and let us know how this goes. Good luck. |
| kaheaN5 | Posted – 5/26/2006 1:03:52 AM | show profile Thank you for your post, Marie. I'm planning to ask for a higher rate in a couple of months when I'll have worked there for 2 years. That's what I get for not being aggressive! lol Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how I should ask for more money? I know--I'm such a newbie. But this really is my first job out of college, so I am clueless, especially since I don't know anyone else personally who freelances. That and I'm a real push over, my major flaw. Should I mention that I've done some research on rates? Also, starting a little later this year I'll be able to work twice as much, meaning I'll finish projects faster. Should I mention this too? One more question: According to the math, I should probably be charging between $2 and $2.50. Should I ask for this amount upfront or raise it in increments over time? Thanks for your suggestions! |
| artnixie | Posted – 5/26/2006 8:18:13 AM | show profile One thing is you're trying to reinvent the wheel. Setting rates and asking for a higher rate are topics endlessly hashed out on listservs like the editorial freelancers list and CE-L (the copyediting listserv; very heavy traffic, incredibly knowledgeable people). Why not search their archives for the many posts with suggestions about negotiating rates? Also, consider joining the lists for community and support. http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/freelance.html http://www.copyediting-l.info/ Another factor is your slightly defeatist sense that this is the best you can do, and this one client's response will determine your income. I was doing original writing for a horoscope subscription service. Nice people, fun writing. However, it paid like a dollar a 'scope -- less than ten cents a word. After two rounds, I asked for ten cents a word, and was told the budget wouldn't bear it. I had to walk away. You can't be held hostage to a client's lowballing. I also was doing steady book copyediting for NY publishers at $2 a page. I was overworking and underearning. I just thought, can't live like this. I went to a temp agency, took their test, and was sent right out. Easier work, more money. You'll negotiate from strength if you have real options. Not that you need to threaten your client or imply you could do better; just knowing you can will help you stand up for yourself. |
| kaheaN5 | Posted – 5/26/2006 9:50:31 AM | show profile Thank you so much for your post artnixie--very helpful! I'm checking out the URLs right now. I guess part of my problem is that I'm intimidated by all the credentials of other copy editors I've seen listed on the Web. I will definitely take your advice, though. Right now I'm worried about finding more work if I do need to walk away. Thank you again for the help. I'll post again with updates. |
| overthehillwriter | Posted – 5/26/2006 4:38:59 PM | show profile | email poster To me, copy editing is less about credentials then competence. I have a lot of editorial experience, but not even a college degree, just two years college (started my family early, came from a poor background, etc.) A magazine editor recently advertised for a freelance copy editor, and took a chance on me, sending me some one article to start. The article really needed help at all levels, and I was thorough enough that it looked like a bottle of red ink had been spilled on the stuff, and she was dazed and delighted. Mind you, I did some fact-checking on it, too. Not only did I get all her work the following edition, she referred two others to me as well. I charge $25-30 an hour. I don't get anyone asking me why I don't have a string of initials and acronyms after my name. One idea for you would be to go for an incremental raise with your current gig, but to immediately start looking for some better paying work as well. If you've been doing this for them for 2 years, you must be pretty good. You can say "Freelance Copy Editor, xyz Magazine, 2 years" and "I generally charge $25-$30 an hour, depending on the project." I don't charge by the page for editing, because of the broad spectrum of stuff that comes in -- some needs little work, some needs major help. Good luck to you! |
