How to Price AI Copywriting Services (Without Underselling)

Part of 💰 SECTION 5: Pricing, Systems & Scaling in AI Copywriting Business Crash Course (25-Part Series)

Because “just happy to be here” doesn’t pay the bills.

Let me just say this upfront, because maybe no one else will:

You deserve to get paid fairly.
For your ideas. Your creativity. Your time. Your ability to stare at a blank Google Doc and somehow turn coffee and chaos into compelling copy that actually converts.

AI or not — that’s still a human magic trick.
Don’t let anyone gaslight you into thinking otherwise.

But pricing your copywriting services (especially with AI in the mix)?
Oh man. That’s a whole thing.

So today, we’re gonna break it down. Like, really break it down.
Because whether you’re brand new or deep into your “why did I say yes to this $80 blog post?” era, I’ve got you.

💸 “Wait — Can I Even Charge Real Money If I’m Using AI?”

Let’s tackle this head-on, because it’s the question I get the most:

“Is it ethical to charge full price if I use AI to help me write?”

Short answer? Yes. Absolutely.

Longer answer?
Look — AI doesn’t replace you. It accelerates you. You still:

• Decide what the piece needs
• Research, fact-check, and edit
• Add tone, voice, nuance, empathy, context
• Know how to not make things sound like a refrigerator manual

It’s not about how you get the work done — it’s about the value it brings to the client.

So if a brand wants persuasive landing page copy that converts lurkers into buyers?
They’re not paying for your “process.” They’re paying for the result.

And if AI helps you get there faster — that’s just good business.

🧠 Real Talk: Why Most New Copywriters Undersell

There’s a reason you’re tempted to charge $50 for a blog post or $10 an hour when you’re first starting. I’ve been there. We all have.

Let’s unpack the fear, shall we?

• “I don’t have a fancy portfolio yet.”
• “I’m still figuring out my process.”
• “What if I quote too high and they ghost me forever?”
• “I don’t want to be ‘that’ freelancer who charges $300 for a tweet.”

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: confidence isn’t built by waiting until you feel ready.
It’s built by practicing, messing up, learning, raising your rates, and doing it again.

Your pricing is not a reflection of your worth as a person. It’s a business decision.
And you’re allowed to update it. As often as you want.

🧮 The 3 Main Ways to Price Copywriting (AI-Enhanced or Not)

Okay, let’s get into some structure. There are a few common ways to price your services, and I’ll give you pros, cons, and my very opinionated takes.

1. Hourly Rate (aka The Gateway Drug)

🟢 When to use it:

• When the scope is unclear
• You’re new and want to protect your time
• You’re consulting or coaching alongside writing

🔴 When to avoid:

• When you get faster with AI and it punishes you
• When clients start watching the clock like hawks
• When you’re doing creative work that’s hard to measure by the hour

💡 Opinion time:
Hourly rates can be fine when you’re starting out, but long-term? Meh. You’ll eventually resent being punished for being efficient. AI makes you faster — you shouldn’t make less money for that.

Beginner baseline:
Start around $40–$75/hr, and raise it quickly as your confidence and speed grow.

2. Per-Project Pricing (My Personal Fave)

🟢 When to use it:

• Landing pages, sales emails, website rewrites
• You can scope out the work clearly
• You want control over time + income

🔴 When to avoid:

• When clients keep adding “just one more thing”
• If you’re unsure how long something will take

💡 Pro-tip:
Always build a buffer into your pricing. If you think something will take 4 hours, quote for 6. Humans underestimate. Clients scope-creep. AI glitches. Life happens.

Beginner baseline:

• Blog post (1,000 words): $150–$300
• Email sequence (3–5 emails): $250–$500
• Landing page: $300–$800+
• Website copy (3–5 pages): $600–$2,000

Yes, these are real numbers.
Yes, people pay them every day.
Yes, even if you’re using AI to help.

3. Retainers (aka Client Stability Mode)

🟢 When to use it:

• Monthly blog packages
• Newsletter writing
• Ongoing email strategy/copy
• Content for creators/solopreneurs

🔴 When to avoid:

• Clients who don’t know what they want
• When you don’t have clear deliverables

Why it works:

• You get predictable income
• Clients get consistent output
• Everyone wins

💡 Tip:
Don’t just quote “4 blog posts a month.”
Quote “4 blog posts/month + 2 rounds of edits + 24-hour response time + SEO-optimized with AI-assisted tools.” Frame it like a package, not a commodity.

Beginner baseline:
Start with $750–$1,500/month for regular content. Add more for strategy, analytics, or extra rounds.

⚖️ But Wait — What About AI-Specific Pricing?

Let’s get spicy.

You’re offering something new. Faster delivery. AI-assisted ideation. Smart outlining. Voice cloning. Creative prompts. Editing support.

That’s worth more. Not less.

Here’s a subtle way to frame it without sounding like an AI bro:

“Because I use smart AI tools as part of my workflow, I can deliver strong drafts faster — and spend more time on refining tone, brand voice, and flow. That means quicker turnaround and higher consistency.”

Clients love this. You’re not saying “I just copy-paste ChatGPT.” You’re saying “I use tools to work efficiently — and still give you top-tier quality.”

Charge accordingly.

💬 What to Say When Clients Push Back

Oh, it’s coming. The classic:

“That’s more than we were expecting.”
“We were hoping for more junior rates.”
“Can you give us a discount for exposure/future work/eternal good vibes?”

Take a breath. Smile. Channel your inner Olivia Pope. Then say:

✨ Option 1:

“Totally understand — I try to keep my rates fair for both of us. I use AI tools to speed up turnaround without sacrificing quality, which keeps things affordable long-term. Happy to tweak the scope if needed!”

✨ Option 2:

“Thanks for the honesty. My current rates reflect the quality and speed I bring to the table — but if budget’s a constraint, I can adjust deliverables or point you to another freelancer.”

Don’t fold. Don’t apologize.
Negotiate scope, not value.

🧠 Mindset Shift: You’re Not “Charging for Words” — You’re Charging for Results

Let’s kill this myth once and for all.

You’re not selling 1,000 words. You’re selling:

• Higher click-through rates
• More engaged email lists
• Stronger conversions on product pages
• Less stress for a founder who’s juggling 42 tabs and a toddler

And yes — even with AI in the mix, those results still require you.

You’re the bridge between messy input and clear messaging.
Between “this sounds like a robot” and “this sounds like us.”

That’s not cheap. That’s valuable.

✏️ Quick Story: The $75 Email That Changed Everything

Years ago, I wrote a welcome email for a startup founder for $75. It felt huge at the time. I was thrilled. But they emailed me a week later saying:

“People are actually replying to the welcome email now — it’s working.”

They hired me for three more emails. Then a monthly newsletter. Then I raised my rates.

That one $75 email?
It wasn’t the money that changed things. It was the confidence that came from seeing my words make money.

You’ll have your moment too. And when it comes?
Raise your rates. Without flinching.

📌 TL;DR — How to Price Your AI Copywriting Without Underselling

✅ Don’t charge less just because you use AI — charge smartly because you’re faster
✅ Start with hourly if you must, but shift to project/retainer ASAP
✅ Frame your offers around results, not word counts
✅ Add buffer time, always
✅ Pitch AI as a value-add, not a shortcut
✅ Be ready for pushback — and stay grounded
✅ Value your brain, your instincts, and your weird little way of making words work

💥 Mini Challenge: Your Pricing Confidence Sprint

1. Choose ONE service you want to offer (ex: 2–3 welcome emails).
2. Write down your “instinct rate” — what you think you should charge.
3. Now double it.
4. Sit with the discomfort.
5. Write a mock pitch email with that new rate in it — even if you don’t send it yet.
6. Practice saying it out loud like it’s no big deal.

Because soon… it won’t be.

Got questions? Want help tweaking your service menu? Need a pep talk before your first pricing convo?

I’m here for it. Slide in anytime.

You’re not underqualified. You’re undercharging.
Let’s fix that. 💪