Editors/writers what do you charge?

[tinypop4]

More by accident than design, I have happily created a little freelance editing business in the field of education.
I'm getting quite a bit of work in but no idea if I'm charging appropriately.
I charge £30 per piece of work and it takes me roughly an hour - sometimes a little more sometimes a little less but this is a fairly accurate average.
Does this sound about right or would you charge more?
If more, how does one go about putting up prices in the freelance world?

They don't change anything themselves. They suggest changes and the author has to approve them.

Electronic copies. Then tagged tracked changes or tagged comments keep track of the original and the changes. Plus you would usually save different versions with dates and edit numbers.

It's always clear who the author is.

Thank you! Just wasn't sure how the system worked. I imagine there is a market for academic ghost-writing too (at undergraduate level I mean!!)

Haba - you mean cheating??

I'm not condoning it!
I am wondering how (if documents are electronic) one proves one has written the dissertation oneself, if one has used the services of an editor. I understand that this is becoming more common.
I helped a friend with English as a (4th?) language, by proofing their masters thesis. I know that I wrote no part of it, but presumably I could not prove that to a supervisor?

Yes, all essays are typed. There is plaigarism software available and many universities run essays through this to check for plaigarism.

Before taking on work from a student, you should check with their supervisor that they are allowed to use a proofreader. Many universities have guidelines on what an editor can and can't change in a dissertation/essay.

plagiarism - sorry, proofreader here!

editingfairy thanks for all the info - v helpful.

I do lots of writing for magazines including their websites but have always done it for free - how do I go about asking to get paid now? And should I?

Why do you work for free Tudorbeth? Unless you are helping a friend or something I would definitely be charging in your shoes.

I had to start somewhere, and no one listened or wanted me when I approached them, they still don't. 20 books published and I still don't get paid for articles. No idea where or how to begin? And no one really cares for others anymore. Everyone out for themselves, criticism and negativity.

Was that a name fail? You sound a bit disillusioned about it all - maybe not the best mindset for being freelance?

I'd defintely approach the current people you write for free for and say you've got x much experience and really need to start charging for writing, and your hourly fee is Y.

If they pay, great. if they don't, they've had loads of free work out of you and they're no loss as a client - frees up your time to look for better clients.

Get a testimonial from them first!

I like that idea - getting a testimonial from them sounds a bit like getting reference - thank you - your comments were positive and helpful