Pros, Cons, and Hourly Pricing: Newbie Tech Editor (Part 2)

In my first months of tech editing knitting patterns, I dismissed the idea of charging hourly for my services. Over 6 months later, I switched from my old pricing system to an hourly rate. This post details the pros and cons I’ve observed from my hourly rate so far!

Hello everyone!

In my last post, I shared the pros and cons of implementing a fixed rate pricing system as a new tech editor.

Several tech edits later, I stopped using that system.

I shared some negative effects of implementing my fixed price system for tech editing knitting patterns long term in the previous post along with several benefits.

One negative I saw was “overcharging.” A simple hat pattern that I charged $50 for only took me an hour. That’s expensive to me!

With roses, there are thorns. With pros, cons are often present.

Let’s compare the pros and cons of the hourly rate pricing system I’m now using for tech editing knitting patterns.

My Hourly Rate System

Now, I charge by the hour. My rate is $30 per hour.

For those dear knitting designers who are trying my work for the first time, my rate is $15 an hour.

Before editing begins, I give designers a price estimate based upon how long I believe tech editing will take me.

The number of sizes and charts included, complexity of the design, and weight of yarn used are a few factors that contribute to the time of tech editing. Also, the number of errors and lack of consistency and clarity present in the pattern will lengthen the editing time.

Pros of Hourly Rate

Cost is Determined by Pattern Complexity

In my opinion, an hourly rate charges more fairly than my fixed price rate.

I may be sent 2 hat patterns to tech edit. The first pattern may be a simple stockinette hat in 1 size. It may take me 1 hour to tech edit.

The second is a detailed colorwork hat with both charts and written instructions; it is designed for 5 sizes, from infant to adult. It may take me 2, or more, hours to tech edit.

For both the designer and tech editor, the price will be a reflection of the knitting pattern more than in my fixed rate system.

Both Designer and Tech Editor Encouraged to Work Efficiently

The clock is ticking!

The designer wants to send a knitting pattern that is their best work to cut down on the tech editor’s time which decides the total cost.

The tech editor, with integrity, wants to work as effectively and efficiently through a pattern resulting in a thorough tech edit in a timely manner.

A clock that determines the price encourages both the designer and the honest tech editor to bring their best.

Every Pattern Welcome

In my fixed rate pricing system, I had a list of knitting patterns with prices. For example, a single sized hat – $30 to tech edit.

A dog blanket, dish cloth, pillow, or even baby toys were not on that list.

With my hourly rate, there’s no specific list. The sky’s the limit on the types of knitting patterns that I can tech edit.

Cons of Hourly Rate

Final Cost May Vary

An estimate is an estimate.

I can give my best estimate. After an hour of tech editing, I may find more edits to make than I expected that only revealed themselves in my spreadsheet.

Though I dislike the possible change of cost for a designer making budgeting less set in stone, I recognize the value of good communication.

By giving the best estimate I can and letting a designer know in advance when I see more editing time needed, an unpleasant surprise can be decreased.

Integrity of Tech Editor

The last con is only a con if I allow it.

I love tech editing and the relationships I’ve made with fellow knitters and knitwear designers through it.

It’s more than a hobby though, and I do seek to get paid for the time I put into tech editing.

That being said I believe that it’s important to practice integrity in everything, especially in providing a service to someone else.

When the timer is running, my full attention and efforts are to be on a designer’s knitting pattern. If interruptions occur or I need a break, the timer stops.

The con of charging for inefficient work efforts or allowed distractions (like checking social media, emails not from the designer, etc.) is only a con if allowed by the tech editor.

Conclusion

Now, that I’ve shared my experience with these 2 pricing systems for freelance work specifically in the knitting industry, I want to hear your personal experience and thoughts.

Do you like fixed rate pricing or hourly pricing for services, and why?

I’ve liked both for different reasons in different seasons.

Are you a beginning tech editor? How have you decided to charge for your work?

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Have a blessed day, friends! I will be back with more to share soon. ❤️

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Further Reading

• In part 1, you can read of the benefits and drawbacks I experienced when charging fixed prices for my tech editing services. I’ve linked the post here!
• For more inspiration on having integrity in your work, read through these inspiring quotes. I enjoyed reading through them here.