When I reached Law 26 in Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life, I actually stopped reading, marked the page, and sat with it for a minute.

“Your skills are worthless—but your context is valuable.”

That sentence stuck with me. As a copywriter and content writer, I find myself talking about pricing every time I meet with a new client. But here’s the thing—price isn’t the conversation we should be leading with. The real focus should be on value.

What’s the Value of a Blog? Honestly, It’s Priceless

Most clients I work with know they need a blog. They know it’s important. They’ve heard something about SEO or building trust or needing “content” to get found online.

But the second they hear the word “blog post,” their brain often jumps to price:

• How much will this cost me?
• Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?
• How many words do I get for that?

I get it. Budgets are real. I work with small and mid-sized businesses—I live in the same budget-aware world they do.

But let’s pause and ask the better question: What’s the value of a high-quality blog for your business?

• It builds trust with potential buyers
• It establishes your authority in your industry
• It improves your SEO and drives organic traffic
• It gives your social media team fresh content to share
• It allows your voice, your values, and your expertise to shine

Oh, and let’s not forget. Companies that blog receive 55% more website visitors than those that don’t. And 77% of internet users read blogs regularly.

That’s not fluff. That’s data-backed value.

So Why Do Clients Fixate on Price?

Because price is concrete, it’s something they can point to on an invoice. It’s a line item in their budget. It’s what they pay right now.

Value? That’s a longer game. That takes trust. And that’s exactly why we, as writers and creatives, need to lead with value.

Here’s how I approach it. Yes, I quote a price. But I don’t start there. I start with why this blog matters for their business. I walk them through what it’s going to do for them—how it can:

• Answer customer questions
• Address objections before the sales call
• Make them more discoverable in online searches
• Give them something they’re proud to share in their newsletter or on LinkedIn

And I speak plainly. No jargon, no hype, no “optimize your conversions with compelling CTA structure” talk.

Just: “This blog is going to help you get found, build trust, and ultimately make more sales.”

Here’s the Truth: I Price Myself in the Intermediate Range

I’m going to let you in on something. I’ve been writing professionally for years. If you were to put me in a category—novice, intermediate, expert—I’d easily land in the expert tier.

But I don’t price myself like an expert. Not fully.

Why?

Because my audience isn’t giant corporations with six-figure content budgets. My audience is the independent dental practice. The nonprofit that needs a voice. The dog poop picker-upper who is trying to create a cool business in his community. The local business that’s doing amazing things but doesn’t have a huge marketing team. 

I price myself toward the upper end of the intermediate range. Enough to reflect my expertise, but still accessible to the clients I want to serve.

And even then, I don’t just give a number and hope they say yes. I share the value behind that number. Because if they’re only looking for the cheapest blog post, they’re not my ideal client.

How to Talk About Value vs. Price with Clients

If you’re a fellow creative—writer, designer, marketer—this is the advice I’d offer you. Don’t be afraid to talk money, but lead with impact.

Here’s a quick framework I use when having value-based pricing conversations:

Start with what the blog will do:

• “This will help drive more traffic to your website over time.”
• “It positions you as an authority in your industry.”
• “It gives your team a powerful piece of content to share across platforms.”

Explain the long-term payoff:

• “You’re not just getting 800 words. You’re getting something that works for your business 24/7.”

Only then—talk price.

• “My rate for this type of blog is X. And that includes SEO optimization, a clear structure, and your unique voice.”

Clients want to feel confident that they’re investing in something that works. When you show them the return, the price makes a lot more sense.

Value Is About More Than the Words on the Page

Anyone can write a blog. But not everyone can write your blog. Not everyone can take your voice, your goals, your audience—and create something that helps you grow.

Here’s the way I see it. Freelance writing, at its core, is both hunting and farming. You’re hunting for new clients and opportunities while farming the relationships and long-term content strategies that help those clients thrive. That means an opportunity for a lot of great conversations—about value. It’s not just about producing content—it’s about helping businesses grow over time through thoughtful, strategic writing.

When clients hire me, they’re not paying for just the words. They’re paying for:

• Strategy
• Structure
• Clarity
• Experience

And a blog that keeps working long after the invoice is paid

Value First, Price Second

If you’re a fellow freelancer, remember this:
Talk value to your clients first, and price last.

And if you’re a business owner looking to grow your brand, here’s what I’d say to you:
Don’t let sticker shock keep you from investing in content that connects.

A blog is more than a post. It’s a piece of your brand identity. And when done right, it’s one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolbox.

Need help writing blog posts that actually move the needle?
Let’s chat. I’d love to help you create content that works as hard as you do.