writing content for clients?

where do you draw the line?

[webmstr]

I have a client that has asked me to write the content for her site. Isn't that the clients responsibility, or is that something that is normally included in web design packages? TIA

[georgeek]

I prefer to write client content because most clients do not know how to write. Most often I have the content written by a professional and include the costs in my billing. If there is content required that involves expert knowledge I will get the client to write a block of text that is three times as big as I need and edit it accordingly.

[Content Writer]

It's quite common to include content development in a design/seo package. Now, this doesn't mean webmaster has to sit down and write 100 articles--webmasters often source content development to a third party.

It's all about providing good service. If webmaster is unwilling to manage content--even through a third party--then he/she should be able to steer client in the right direction. Otherwise, client is missing out on a huge part of seo.

[webmstr]

well, she sent me a website that she liked and asked if I could re-write what they had for a page on her site. It is quite a bit of info, and looks like it would be pretty time consuming.

[monkeythumpa]

It sounds like the client wants to give you more money! Farm it out, include a mark up, and pass the cost on to the client.

[justawriter]

Writing copy for a website - even re-writing what someone else has already written - is a fairly specialised skill.

If your client is prepared to pay for it then you shouldn't hesitate to sub-contract the work to a writer who knows what they are doing.

[mwack]

Yep, it's up to you if you want to write it/hire a writer to do it. But remember to bill your client for it, as that isn't usually an included thing in designing a website (ie: if you told her you charge X for website design, this should not be included in that, as it has nothing to do with website design).

[Leosghost]

copy is extra ..as are images and photos , graphics,mp3 files etc etc ..site design is about the placing of preprovided ( by client ) elements in working structure ..SEO is also extra as is securing server etc..and your time to explain all this is also something you should be billing ..

Flash elements and so on are also extra and more expensive than coding ..

customized PHP , javascript etc are again more expensive than straight html..

[DCannon]

Why not include content as part of your web design packages. You can purchase from a content writer and resell to your client.

Dustin Cannon
<snip>

[edited by: engine at 4:02 pm (utc) on Nov. 1, 2005]
[edit reason] No sigs, thanks [/edit]

[mwack]

The reason we're saying don't include it is because it isn't web design. Offer it, sure, but charge extra since it isn't web design.

[marketingweb]

The idea of rewriting contect from an already existing site is not a good one anyway from the very start if your client is any concerned about SEO. She should know that the search engines prefer unique content. It's a relatively important factor in the ranking.

[webmstr]

I agree, and I also am a stickler for copyright law and feel that taking someones page and re-writing it is wrong. I found several sites that have to do with this topic that she wants, and I will research a bit, and then highlight the main points for this page. And then I will charge her. I am thinking probably 50 bucks or so is enough. I write fairly well, and can't see charging more for it.

So what is the going rate anyway for this kind of service?