Let's cut to the chase. I won't keep you guessing about my rates. I follow industry standards for copywriting and copyediting. Prices start from:

  • £50 an hour for proofreading and copyediting

  • £70 an hour for copywriting

  • £70 an hour for photojournalism/editorial project management.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of the hourly rate for proofreading, copyediting or copywriting. Most of my clients come to me with projects that last for more than one day, so normally I give a fixed project fee. I’m also very happy to contract with clients for a fixed term if you need ongoing support.

My day rate starts at £300.

A few dos:

  • I ask for a brief before starting work (I like to get a steer from my clients and get under the skin of what’s needed and why)

  • I often ask for a deposit or part-payment before I begin if you're a new client (I'll make an exception for a referral or if I know where you live) ;-)

  • I charge a cancellation fee if the work is withdrawn after commission (50% of the total fee).

A few don'ts:

  • I don't price by the word (often the fewer the words, the more vital the message eg, a brand strapline. Short copy does not equal a cheaper rate)

  • I don't give free writing samples (in the same way as I don’t ask my dentist for a free tooth extraction… ouch!)

  • I won't give the game away by publicising your project before you have (I’m happy to sign an NDA if you want our work to be clandestine).

To give a little context…

I’ve been a professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) since 2016 and follow the CIEP’s Code of Practice, which outlines standards of best practice for members to maintain and encourage good professional relationships.

I was a member of the CIEP’s volunteer social media team for four years (2017 to 2020). I worked on the Twitter team and started up and nurtured the CIEP’s LinkedIn profile – boosting follower numbers to beyond 20,000 through regular engagement.

I was also an active member of its Environmental Policy Working Group (EPWG) from 2021 to 2023. Take a look at the resources we created for our members on the CIEP’s green values page. Some of my favourite projects and articles include:

I was a professional member of the Professional Copywriters’ Network for five years (2016 to 2021), the UK's largest association for commercial copywriters.

Get in touch and I'll get a wriggle on.

  This is the small print, but not particularly scary. Take a look at my terms and conditions. By engaging my services, you're agreeing that we will treat each other fairly. It's all common sense stuff.