Why I Don’t Charge by the Word

Because writing isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Nearly every day, someone asks how much I charge per word or per page.

My answer? I don’t. Not because I’m being evasive. Not because I’m trying to dodge the budget question. But because not all writing is the same—and pricing like it is sets everyone up to lose.

Let me explain.

Not All Words Are Created Equal

A 500-word product description for handmade soap? Pretty straightforward. Quick research, clear formatting, done in an hour or less.

Now compare that to a 500-word blog post about remote worker tax treaties between Germany and the U.S.—with citations, SEO optimization, and legal nuance that doesn't bore readers to death.

Those are not the same job. They should not have the same price tag. But if I charged per word? They would.

Word Count Is a Terrible Metric

Good writing isn’t about cranking out the most words—it’s about clarity. It’s about making sure the reader actually understands what’s being said.

If I can say it clearly in 800 words instead of 1,500, that’s not less work. That’s better work. So no, I’m not charging less just because I didn’t pad the page for funsies.

Flat Rates Can Backfire—for Everyone

I get the appeal of flat pricing. It’s clean. Predictable. Easy to budget for. But here’s the problem: That only works when every project is the same—which is never.

If I quote low on a deceptively complex project, I eat hours of unpaid labor. If I quote high for a simple one, you might overpay. Nobody walks away happy.

How I Quote Projects

Instead of pricing by word or page, I price based on:

• Depth of research

• Subject complexity

• Collaboration level (Are we workshopping? Ghostwriting? Just proofreading?)

• Final deliverable type (Thought leadership piece? Newsletter? TikTok script?)
  

This gives both of us more flexibility—and more accuracy.

When Flat Rates Do Make Sense

Some things are repeatable, structured, and easy to scope. That’s where flat pricing works. For example:

• Resume and cover letter reviews

• Professional bios

• Proofreading projects under a certain length
  

I offer flat rates for those services because they’re consistent in scope—and like all my work, pricing is shared up front based on what you need.

Yes, I Work Within Budgets

I know not every client is working with a big agency budget. I work with job seekers, solopreneurs, and small businesses. If you're upfront about your range, I’ll be honest about what’s doable. And if it’s not a fit, I’ll say so—with no hard feelings.

No, I Don’t Write Free Samples

If you're wondering whether I do free test pieces before taking on work—nope. I’ve been freelancing professionally long enough to know that my existing work is the sample.

You can browse it here: WritingPortfolio.blog – writing samples of various types, from blog posts to fiction examples Medium (@joinmeabroad) – all posts include a friends link, so you can read for free Join Me Abroad – The site you're reading right now

Free labor isn’t part of the process. If my work doesn’t speak for itself, we’re probably not a fit.

TL;DR

I don’t charge by the word because good writing isn’t about length—it’s about impact. I price based on the value I deliver, not the number of lines on a page. And like any professional service, I don’t start by working for free.

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If you appreciate writing that respects the work behind the words, you can fuel more of it here:buymeacoffee.com/joinmeabroad