Wondering how much to charge for freelance email marketing? Discover expert pricing strategies, rate breakdowns, and tips to set competitive freelance rates in email marketing.
In today’s digital-first business landscape, email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools for driving engagement, nurturing leads, and converting sales. With companies across the globe investing heavily in email strategies, freelance email marketers are in high demand. But one pressing question remains: What should you charge for freelance email marketing services?
Whether you’re a freelancer setting your rates or a business looking to hire, understanding the pricing landscape of email marketing freelancing is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the factors that influence freelance email marketing rates, typical pricing structures, industry averages, and tips for setting competitive and fair rates.
Table of Contents
Why Email Marketing Is in Demand
Before diving into rates, it’s crucial to understand why email marketing is so valuable:
- High ROI: Email marketing delivers impressive returns—studies from Litmus show an average ROI of $36 for every $1 invested.
- Direct to Audience: Email gives businesses a direct line to their audience—unfiltered by algorithms or platform limitations.
- Automation Opportunities: With tools like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and ConvertKit, marketers can set up workflows that run on autopilot.
- Personalization Potential: Email can be personalized at scale, driving higher open rates and conversions.
All these reasons mean businesses are willing to pay a premium for skilled email marketing freelancers.
What Do Email Marketing Freelancers Do?
Email marketing is not just writing emails. Freelancers in this field often handle a wide range of tasks, including:
- Strategy Development: Creating a full email marketing strategy aligned with business goals.
- List Management: Segmenting and managing subscribers.
- Copywriting and Design: Crafting compelling content and designing email templates.
- Automation Setup: Building and testing automated flows for onboarding, nurturing, and retargeting.
- Analytics and Optimization: Monitoring performance and tweaking for better results.
Key Factors That Influence Freelance Email Marketing Rates
No two freelancers charge the same. Several factors influence how much you can or should charge:
1. Experience and Skill Level
- Beginner (0–2 years): $15–$40 per hour
- Intermediate (2–5 years): $40–$80 per hour
- Expert (5+ years): $80–$150+ per hour
More experienced freelancers can command higher rates due to their proven results, strategic knowledge, and refined processes.
2. Scope of Work
A freelancer offering just copywriting will charge less than one offering full-service email marketing (strategy, design, analytics, etc.). Common service packages include:
- Email copy only
- Copy + design
- Full email campaign management
- Automation setup
- Monthly retainers
3. Niche or Industry
Some industries (e-commerce, tech, health) are more competitive and profitable, meaning freelancers who specialize in those areas can charge more.
4. Client Type
Rates also vary based on whether you’re working with startups, small businesses, or enterprise clients. Larger companies often have bigger budgets.
Popular Pricing Models for Freelance Email Marketers
Freelancers structure their pricing in several different ways:
1. Hourly Rate
This is straightforward—charge by the hour for your time.
- Pros: Easy to calculate and track.
- Cons: Doesn’t reflect value; may undercharge for high-impact work.
2. Per Project Pricing
Set a fixed rate per campaign or project (e.g., $300 for a 3-email welcome series).
- Pros: Clear expectations for both parties.
- Cons: Can be risky if scope expands.
3. Monthly Retainers
Recurring fee for ongoing work, like weekly emails, A/B testing, or list management.
- Pros: Predictable income; strong client relationships.
- Cons: Requires consistent output and time commitment.
4. Performance-Based Pricing
Charge based on metrics like opens, clicks, or revenue generated.
- Pros: Highly profitable if done well.
- Cons: Risky if results aren’t guaranteed.
Email Marketing Freelance Rate Examples
Here’s a rough breakdown of what freelancers typically charge based on services:
| Service Type | Beginner ($) | Mid-Level ($) | Expert ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Email Copy (Short Campaign) | 50–100 | 100–300 | 300–800 |
| Full Email Campaign (3–5 Emails) | 150–400 | 400–900 | 1000–2500 |
| Email Automation Setup | 200–500 | 500–1000 | 1000–3000+ |
| Monthly Retainer (1–4 campaigns/mo) | 300–800 | 800–1500 | 1500–5000+ |
| Full-Service Email Strategy | 500–1000 | 1000–3000 | 3000–10,000 |
How to Set Your Freelance Email Marketing Rates (For Freelancers)
1. Know Your Worth
Factor in your experience, portfolio, niche, and results. If you’ve driven $50K+ in sales for a client, your time is worth more.
2. Estimate Time Investment
Calculate how long each task takes—including research, writing, testing, and reporting.
3. Benchmark with Competitors
Browse platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn to see what others are charging in your niche and level.
4. Consider Value, Not Just Time
You’re not just selling time—you’re selling outcomes. Set your rates to reflect the value and impact your work delivers.
5. Build Pricing Tiers
Offer packages (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium) to accommodate different client budgets and upsell opportunities.
Tips for Freelancers to Justify Higher Rates
- Showcase Case Studies: Include metrics like open rates, conversions, and revenue growth.
- Specialize: Position yourself as an expert in a specific industry or platform (e.g., eCommerce + Klaviyo).
- Offer Bundled Packages: Combine services like copywriting + automation for higher-value deals.
- Build Authority: Share thought leadership content, run webinars, or guest post on marketing blogs.
What Clients Should Know About Email Marketing Freelance Rates
If you’re hiring an email marketer, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Cheaper isn’t always better. A $50 campaign that doesn’t convert is more expensive than a $500 one that drives sales.
- Ask for samples and results. A good freelancer will share case studies or client testimonials.
- Understand their process. Look for strategic thinking, not just good writing.
- Be clear on deliverables. Agree on how many emails, what platform, testing, and reporting will be involved.
Where to Find and Hire Email Marketing Freelancers
You can find quality freelance email marketers on:
Always review their portfolio, confirm their area of expertise, and request an initial consultation before hiring.
Looking to boost conversions with effective email campaigns? Check out the 7 Best Freelance Email Marketers for Hire on Fiverr.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Rate
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to email marketing freelance rates. Pricing depends on expertise, value delivered, services offered, and client goals. Whether you’re a freelancer setting your rates or a business evaluating proposals, it’s essential to focus on value, not just cost.
By understanding the landscape, setting clear expectations, and aligning pricing with results, both freelancers and clients can create long-term, successful partnerships that pay off for everyone.
FAQs
What is the average freelance rate for email marketing services?
The average freelance rate for email marketing ranges between $40 to $100 per hour, depending on experience and scope. Beginners may charge around $15–$40/hour, while experienced marketers with proven results often charge $100/hour or more. For fixed projects, prices can range from $150 to $2,500+, depending on complexity.
What factors affect how much I should charge for email marketing as a freelancer?
Key factors include your experience level, the type of client (startup vs. enterprise), the scope of services (copywriting, design, automation), your industry specialization, and the results you’ve delivered (like increased sales or open rates). Niching down and showing ROI can help you charge premium rates.
Can beginner freelancers charge high rates for email marketing?
While beginners typically start with lower rates to build credibility, it’s possible to charge higher rates sooner if you can show strong writing skills, strategic thinking, and quick results. Building a strong portfolio, client testimonials, and case studies will help you justify premium pricing faster.