What should I charge?

Hey all,

As a perpetually-broke nonprofit worker, I'm looking into some ways I can bring in a little extra income. When I was undergrad, I used to edit my friends' term papers and other writing assignments, I've been thinking about posting a Craigslist ad and trying to do that for a little extra moolah. I was pretty good at it and helped quite a few friends improve their grades, and since then I've added several years of professional writing and editing experience, so it seems worth trying.

The only problem is I have no idea how much to charge. When I was in college, I used to just do it for six-packs!

Have any of you done this sort of freelancing before? Or have any recent college grads worked with a freelance editor? Any idea what might be reasonable for me to charge?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Yeah, I'm a professional copyeditor/proofreader (though a lazy e-mailer/poster--I don't want to hear about my typos!), about to go freelance myself. I have no idea how much to charge college students (actually, suggestions on that front would be helpful to me too!) but have you considered getting on the freelancer list at some major publishing houses? We're always looking for good people--take a copyediting test, do well, and you'll start getting calls. Copyediting pays upwards of $20/hr, proofreading around $18-$20, and keyboarding around $16-18.

bluedove wrote: ...have you considered getting on the freelancer list at some major publishing houses? We're always looking for good people--take a copyediting test, do well, and you'll start getting calls. Copyediting pays upwards of $20/hr, proofreading around $18-$20, and keyboarding around $16-18.

I hadn't thought about that. If I could only do a few hours a week, that would help me out immensely! Can one do it evenings and weekends, though? I'm looking to supplement what I make at my full-time job.

Yes, that's when most people do it!

and Montel thinks that he brings people together!

nybt wrote: and Montel thinks that he brings people together!

No kidding! I've already had two DHers tip me off on possible copyediting openings that I'm applying for now. Y'all are so nice.