How much does this piece of writing worth to you?

[irock]

I run a tech site that focuses primarily on computer gadgets/peripherals. Now, I'm actively seeking for a company to handle some of my content development. I already contact a company which offers me to write 120-word description plus an one-line summary for $75-100 per product. This quote includes product researching obviously. I would like to know if this is a fair price. Even though this is per-description pricing, I will probably assign an entire product category for their editors should I decided to give them the job.

Here's something similar to what I want. I got this from another a tech site... FYI.

HP DVD Movie Writer dc3000
-------------------
{removed due to copyright issues}

HP Scanjet 4670
-------------------
{removed due to copyright issues}

You can find both articles in this link.
http://www.hubcanada.com/story_10676_35

Thanks for any advices!

[edited by: Brett_Tabke at 2:44 pm (utc) on Oct. 22, 2003]

[jbinbpt]

How many items are you asking them to write for and does that fit into your budget guidelines? It's not the individual price, but the final price that matters.

But it is not a bad price for a limited number of items. Are there any strings attached? Can you modify the content or copy the style? Do you have full rights to the material?

I would also ask if they write primarily for on-line or print. Check out their on-line work and not just their print work. The “content” comes across differently on the web.

jb

[irock]

jbinbpt,

Well, there's about 30 items per category. And there are more than a dozen categories.

Can you modify the content or copy the style? Do you have full rights to the material?

I *think* the the answers are yes for both questions. I have to confirm though.

[2_much]

It's a matter of ROI. How much can you make per sale? Will this cover the cost, plus earn you extra profits? No one can really tell you, it depends on your own business and how you run it and what your costs are, etc.

[IanTurner]

Personally I would look at hiring somebody if there were enough products you can probably get someone half decent for $75-$100 per day and if they can't write two descriptions a day they should be fired!

I would also look at the possibility of getting students from your local university, especially ones doing course related to your particular tech speciality.

[rogerd]

Irock, there's no standard rate for writing something like this. Rates will depend on the amount of research needed, the expertise and reputation of the writer, and the type of copy being generated.

Writing isn't just writing - firms have paid tens of thousands of dollars for a single letter (to be used in large direct mail campaigns), while you could probably find someone on eLance to churn out gobs of copy for a few dollars an hour. Your best bet is to cast a wide net, compare writing samples and experience, and be sure that you can terminate a relationship quickly if it's not working.