Writers: Stop Giving Away Strategic Value for Free

Too many writers are doing strategic work without charging for it. Are you? Here’s how to recognize it and get paid accordingly.

You know that 30-minute kickoff call where you help a client figure out what to write, who it’s for, and how to position it?

That spreadsheet where you outlined the entire blog calendar?

That SEO guidance you casually slipped into your last draft?

Not every writer does that.

That’s what sets you apart. But if you’re not naming it, framing it, or charging for it, clients will never know, and they definitely won’t value it enough to pay you accordingly.

As freelance writers, we want to be helpful. We want to deliver results. And sometimes, that means going above and beyond without even realizing it.

But over time, that generosity turns into scope creep.

We start offering strategic input on messaging, positioning, SEO, content direction, and more, without ever getting paid for it. We answer follow-up questions, revise content based on vague goals, or reshape drafts to match what should have been clarified in a strategy phase that never existed.

Recommended reading: How to Find Writing Clients Who Actually Have a Budget

This doesn’t mean you need to nickel-and-dime your clients. It means you need to recognize the full value you bring, and make sure you’re being paid for all of it.

Chances are, you’re doing way more than putting words on a page. You're helping clients shape their message, reach their audience, and build content that drives results.

That’s strategy. And it has value.

🔒 Full subscribers: Keep reading to learn how to identify the strategic work you’re already doing, package it properly, and start charging for the full value you bring.