A Simple Guide to Charging What You’re Worth Without Underselling Yourself
If you’re just starting a letter writing side hustle, setting your prices can feel overwhelming.
Should you charge $5? $50? What if no one buys?
Or worse—what if you charge too little and feel burnt out?
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set smart, fair, and profitable price letter writing services—so you attract real clients without underpricing your time.
💡 Why Pricing Matters
Your pricing does more than make you money. It:
- Positions your brand (cheap vs. premium)
- Sets expectations for quality
- Helps you avoid burnout
- Attracts serious buyers—not time-wasters
So instead of guessing or copying someone else’s rates, let’s look at a strategy that works.
🔎 Step 1: Understand What You’re Offering
Before you can set a price, get clear on what type of letters you write and how personalized they are.
Common categories:
- Emotional letters: Love, apology, thank-you, or closure
- Professional letters: Cover letters, business correspondence
- Creative letters: Poetic, humorous, or themed letters
- Handwritten letters: Physical delivery, unique paper, packaging
The more personal, creative, or time-consuming the letter, the higher the price can be.
⏱ Step 2: Calculate Time + Effort
Ask yourself:
- How long does it take to write one letter?
- Do you offer revisions?
- Are you handwriting or just typing?
- Are you adding formatting, design, or printing?
If a heartfelt custom letter takes you 60 minutes, and your goal is to make at least $25/hour, you should never charge less than $25 per letter.
If you include edits or research, raise the price.
📦 Step 3: Create Tiered Pricing Packages
Offering 3 service tiers is a proven way to increase orders and income.
Here’s a sample structure:
| Package | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Short letter (up to 200 words), typed | $15–$30 |
| Standard | Medium letter (300–400 words), edited | $30–$60 |
| Premium | Long letter (500+ words), edits + PDF | $60–$100+ |
You can adjust this based on:
- Letter type (emotional vs. professional)
- Delivery format (digital vs. physical)
- Urgency (express delivery costs more)
Bonus Tip: Offer add-ons like:
- Extra fast delivery (+$10)
- Handwritten copy (+$20)
- Decorative stationery or envelope (+$15)
🧠 Step 4: Check Market Rates (But Don’t Copy Blindly)
Browse platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Etsy and look at what other letter writers charge.
This gives you a range, such as:
- Fiverr: $10–$50 per letter
- Etsy: $20–$100 for printed or physical letters
- Upwork: $20–$75/hour depending on complexity
Use this info to stay competitive—but remember, you don’t have to be the cheapest. Clients pay more for clear communication, emotional impact, and a great experience.
🔥 Step 5: Test and Adjust
When starting out, you can:
- Offer slightly lower prices to get first reviews
- Raise your rate after every 3–5 orders
- Track how long each order takes to avoid undercharging
Once you’re booked consistently, increase your rates by 10–25% until demand balances out.
You can also bundle services:
“Get 3 custom letters for $70”
“Add a personalized poem for just $15 more”
📊 Realistic Pricing Examples
| Letter Type | Delivery | Suggested Price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakup letter (typed) | Digital PDF | $25 |
| Apology letter (poetic) | Typed + PDF | $40 |
| Cover letter (formal) | Word Doc | $50 |
| Love letter (handwritten) | Physical mail | $65–$100 |
| Business welcome letter | Email format | $30 |
These prices reflect a solo letter writing business with basic to intermediate experience.
👀 What to Avoid
- ❌ Pricing below $10 — you’ll attract low-quality buyers
- ❌ Including unlimited revisions — this leads to burnout
- ❌ Offering same-day delivery without charging extra
- ❌ Being vague about word count or delivery format
Clear, structured pricing helps your clients trust you—and pay you.
🧩 Final Thoughts
Pricing your letter writing services doesn’t have to be confusing. Start with your time value, offer 2–3 clear packages, and adjust based on experience.
As your reputation grows, your rates should too.
And remember—clients aren’t just buying words on paper. They’re buying:
- Emotional clarity
- Memorable experiences
- Thoughtful communication
Price accordingly. You’re offering something valuable.
👉 Read Also : How to Get First 100 Customers for Letter Writing Business