How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Freelance Copywriter in Canada?

Copywriting costs vary based on several important factors. The type of copy matters: sales pages and conversion-focused copy command higher rates than blog posts or general content because they directly impact revenue. Industry specialization affects pricing — copywriters with expertise in technical fields (SaaS, finance, healthcare) charge premium rates due to the knowledge required. Research intensity drives cost: copy that requires customer interviews, competitor analysis, or deep product understanding takes more time. The strategic component matters too: a copywriter who develops your brand voice and messaging framework provides more value than one who simply writes to a brief. Revision expectations should be discussed upfront — most copywriters include 1-2 revision rounds. Finally, usage rights can affect pricing: some copywriters charge more for copy used in paid advertising or high-circulation materials.

Copywriting is a field where experience directly correlates with results. Junior copywriters (1-3 years) can handle straightforward content like blog posts, social media copy, and basic product descriptions when given clear briefs and brand guidelines. Mid-level copywriters (3-6 years) can develop compelling website copy, email sequences, and sales pages independently. They understand persuasion principles, SEO best practices, and can adapt to different brand voices. Senior copywriters (7+ years) bring strategic thinking, brand development expertise, and deep understanding of conversion psychology. They're ideal for developing brand messaging frameworks, high-stakes sales pages, and copy that needs to perform in competitive markets. For revenue-critical copy like sales pages and email funnels, investing in senior talent typically pays for itself through higher conversion rates.

Provide detailed briefs including target audience profiles, brand voice examples, competitor references, and specific goals for each piece of copy. This reduces revision rounds and helps the copywriter hit the mark faster. For website copy, invest in a messaging framework first — it makes all subsequent copy faster and more consistent. Bundle related projects (website + emails + social) for package pricing. Ask for a test project before committing to a large engagement — a single landing page or email sequence reveals a copywriter's skill quickly. Budget for A/B testing on revenue-critical copy: testing headlines and CTAs can significantly improve performance. Don't judge copywriting solely on word count — a concise, high-converting headline is worth more than pages of mediocre copy.

Copywriting projects suit multiple engagement models. Fixed-price works well for defined deliverables: website copy, landing pages, and email sequences. Many copywriters offer per-project pricing rather than hourly rates, especially for standard deliverables. Retainer agreements suit businesses with ongoing content needs — monthly blog posts, social media copy, email campaigns, and ad copy. Retainers typically offer 10-20% savings over project rates and ensure consistent brand voice. For strategic work like brand messaging development, a phased fixed-price approach works best: Phase 1 (research and strategy), Phase 2 (messaging framework), Phase 3 (implementation across channels).