Copywriting Narrative

Copywriting is the art or science of creating content that increases product awareness and persuades people to take specific actions through a wide range of media channels, as in: 

• Advertising scripts 
• Blog posts
• Brochures
• Case Studies
• eBooks 
• emails
• e-Newsletters
• Ghostwriting
• Headlines 
• Landing pages 
• On-line ads
• On-line Content
• Sales Letters
• Social Media Updates
• Video scripts
• Website content
• White papers

A good copywriter is a wordsmith, creator, advertiser, marketer, reviewer, reader and editor. The copywriting process includes: product familiarization, examination of product angles, deciding on product delivery, presenting ideas, writing the copy, receiving approval and invoicing. Product angles and delivery tactics include: 

• Expository: defines, clarifies, explains, or instructs
• Descriptive: describes creates shows
• Persuasive:  convinces coaxes and urges
• Narrative: story at hooks the reader
• Technical: provides specs or features
• Poetry: provides brevity, rhythm and rhymes 

These tactics are delivered using Aristotle’s three content elements of: Ethos – credibility; Logos – factual reasoning; and Pathos – emotional persuasion, using a conversational style that speaks to the audience, naturally, through; tone, which is the attitude of the copy – as in sad, serious, or funny; style, which is the type of writing, as in technical, marketing, or digital; and voice, which is the attitude and personality of content.

Each client has their own voice and their brands not only have their own personality but also must  echo that voice.  The copywriter is the person who brings all of these aspects together to make the sale. Skillful copywriting is really about helping people find real solutions to real problems. Copywriters are the engine behind what makes the e-commerce machine work. 

THE INTERNET HAS FOREVER CHANGED BUSINESS. 

For example, You might Google a topic, which brings you to an article. That article was likely written by a copywriter. From that article, you might be directed to a website. The pages on that website — especially the ones promoting products — were likely written by a copywriter. Maybe you like the company’s messaging and sign up to get more information. That landing page that persuades you to give them your email address was written by a copywriter. The email messages you get from that company were — you guessed it! — written by a copywriter. And say you become a really big fan of the company and you follow it on social media outlets like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram… Those posts… those relevant news articles… those little videos? Yup… written by copywriters… All with one goal… to get you to become and remain a “happy customer” — and buy what you need when you need it, from the company that won you over!

The most successful companies use skilled direct response copywriters, because a well-written letter, ad, or email can bring in millions of dollars — for a fraction of the cost of opening a storefront or selling wholesale to retailers. The copywriter is the  most important piece of the direct-marketing puzzle. 

E-commerce has transformed the way we buy and sell things… the way businesses find new customers… and the way businesses sell to other businesses. And at the very core of it all… is the written word.

The following is a description and cost of nine of the most common copywriting formats:

SALES LETTERS

What is a sales letter? A sales letter is typically 12–24 pages of persuasive words that drive the reader to purchase a product or service.

Emails, social media, video, and blogs all have an important place in the business world, too, but the sales letter is the key piece driving the sales home. The goal of all these other pieces is to get the reader to click through to the sales letter. That’s where the magic happens.

Nobody likes the idea of being sold… Instead, people buy things for emotional, not rational, reasons… But once sold, they need to satisfy their emotional decisions with logic.

Sales letters cost between $5,000 and $25,000 plus royalties depending on the size and length of the promotion project.

BLOG WRITING

Blog writing is the single biggest marketing trend of our lifetime. A good blog post is simply a well-thought-out, well-written, to-the-point “article” that is optimized for the search engines and posted on a website. After posting, the blogger can also send the content out in email form. Some marketers will even email the beginning of a blog post to subscribers and then invite them to click over to their website to finish reading the post or share their comments. Blogs can also be broken up into several social media posts. Then when someone on social media clicks the posts, they’re taken back to the blog. 

There are millions of blogs out there. Maybe hundreds of millions, but most blogs are not launched as marketing or communication tools. Sometimes they’re simply the equivalent of an online diary written by someone who wants to tell their ongoing story. Other times, they are launched for a business purpose but then wane when they’re mistakenly seen as a “nice to have” instead of being treated as a marketing tool.

The reality is that most blogs are not created with a clear and measurable marketing goal in mind. And they aren’t written with an eye toward communicating with an audience or promoting a strong brand relationship. Finally, many are not published consistently, or often enough to keep an audience engaged. It is reported that 84% percent of internet buyers — more than 1.7 billion people — make buying decisions based on information they read in blogs and are more influential than opinions found on Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn, in forums, or in online magazines. 

Although blog posts can take many different shapes and forms, here are the six major kinds of blogs: News, How-to; Personal story; Intrigue; Listicle: and Reviews. They start with a strong headline, followed by an engaging lead. From there, the goal is to be relevant, useful, and entertaining, and also to provide a reason for the reader to return and read more. Short blog posts run between 300 and 600 words, and long posts run between 700 and 1,200 words. The cost is about $400 to $800 per post.  

EMAIL WRITING

Email is one of the main ways that companies stay in contact with their potential and past customers. Emails are short and conversational, and cover an endless variety of topics. Health, investing, auto mechanics, gardening, football, golf, horses, cosmetics… And the list goes on and on. A typical email is only about 600–700 words. 

Customers want short, snappy messages that are interesting and that provide value, either on a logical level or an emotional level. In exchange for a customer’s email, companies send free reports, discounts, insider information, or access to their newsletter… That’s called “building a list” of prospects. When a company builds this list, they want to follow up with another email often — sometimes even daily — to prompt a “response.” 

That response could be to go back to the website, request more information, or purchase something. Email writing is an art form of its own. Certain variables can either help the message be more successful… or ensure it gets deleted before it’s even opened. When done right, email can establish and advance the relationship between the customer and the marketer. 

The three main types of emails are:  

Broadcast/Promotion emails — usually sent one time for things like new product announcements or special promotions.

Autoresponders — these emails are written and set up in advance to encourage a reader to take a specific action over time. A typical autoresponder series is five to seven emails, usually with the goal of selling a product or service. An autoresponder is actually the name of the software that delivers a series of emails to follow up with a prospect. 

E-newsletters/E-zines — e-newsletters are a convenient way to reach out to new prospects as well as stay in touch with existing clients. Sent once a month (or more), they’re focused on relationship building, customer education, customer loyalty, and entertainment. It’s easy to lump e-newsletters in with emails, but they serve different purposes. Emails are sent from businesses or service providers with the intention of making sales. E-newsletters are intended to engage and educate. 

A typical email a business writes to a customer has a simple 4-part structure:

Part 1 — Grab the reader’s attention. 

Part 2 — Explain why the message matters to them. 

Part 3 — Show “why you” — and why it’s important that they take action NOW. 

Part 4 — Tell them what they need to do, or a “call to action.” 

It’s a lot cheaper to send an email than to mail a physical brochure to your customers. There’s a bigger audience. It’s faster. And you can mail with more frequency than a physical mailing. Overall, email offers the highest and most measurable return on investment (ROI) of all types of marketing. 66% of consumers have made a purchase online because of an email marketing message. And the average ROI through email marketing is $42 for every $1 spent. That’s huge! More than 300 billion emails are sent and received worldwide everyday.

The cost of a Promotional/Broadcast email is between $250 to $2,000 per email. An Autoresponder series is between $100 to $1,000 per email. If this is multiplied by five to seven emails that are typically in a series, the cost would be about $500 to $7,000 per project. E-newsletter/E-zine run between $800 and $1,500.

COPYEDITING

Copyediting is the art of making sure the copy works — that it’s effective, polished, and will achieve its goals. There’s more copy being published online today than ever before… and the best chance that copy and content stands out and succeeds is by passing through a skilled copyeditor.

B42ART Editing an English language document

Not to be confused with proofreading, copyediting is more than catching typos, fixing punctuation, or adhering to best practices in grammar. Where proofreading is often about checking what’s there in the copy, copyediting is also about what’s not there. Is everything presented in the best order? Is the messaging on target, free of errors, and ready to make the biggest impact? Answering those kinds of questions helps an effective copyeditor elevate a sales message from “good” to GREAT. That said, the copyeditor does proofread as he/she edits.

Businesses of all sizes hire copyeditors. No matter what kind of copy or content they publish, better results are achieved, when it goes through a copyeditor. Copyediting brings clarity to the copy focusing on organization and structure; word choice; making sure the tone matches the messaging; that there’s consistency throughout the copy; that it’s easy to read and with a consistent flow. The cost for copyediting is between 

Is the copy well-organized?  Is there clear structure to the argument?  Does each point support the overall message? Are there any “logic gaps”?  Is there enough proof to satisfy each claim made? Is there anything that needs to be fact checked? Are the paragraphs in proper order? Should extraneous information be deleted? Should a note be left for the writer suggesting they take another look at a weak section?

NEWSLETTER WRITING

An e-newsletter is simply a formatted email that provides valuable content to its subscribers. These publications give the reader up-to-date information, entertainment, and content so they stay connected to a business or service provider. They are fun, educational stories and “how-to” articles, and sharing simple advice. They can be the most essential tools for any industry

Many other professional service providers and B2B companies need them too. Accountants, local bankers, attorneys, medical professionals, insurance agents, florists, hair stylists, local sports leagues, lawn care providers, real estate agents… to name a few. They understand the value of building and maintaining relationships. Strong relationships help build trust and familiarity — two things that result in more sales and referrals for their businesses.

The typical e-newsletter is around 1,200 to 1,500 words in length and should contain a mix of about 80% “real” content — as in helpful, useful information that the reader can use — and roughly 20% promotional content. That might involve content that promotes a membership subscription or sells products. 

Well-written newsletters consist of three main elements: 1.

1. Focused content: When writing a newsletter, you want to make sure that what you have to say is interesting, clear, compelling, and a reflection of your authentic voice. It also needs to be useful to your readers. So you want each topic to link directly back to the business or product you’re writing about without getting off-track or going off in unrelated directions.
2. Reader-oriented writing: In all newsletters, just like in all good copywriting, the goal should be to write to the reader about the reader’s concerns. Meaning write, publish, and interact with readers with their best interests in mind. If readers feel like the information they read is useful and relevant, they’ll keep reading month after month. 
3. Genuine messaging: Although the newsletter should be filled with useful information and insights, it should also be infused with personality. The goal here is not to be dry, dull, or formal. The goal is to “speak” to the reader like you’re talking with a friend. 

This type of writing is not salesy or high pressure. It doesn’t need to be filled with hype or stress. Newsletters typically begin with an intro from whomever the newsletter comes from. 

Newsletters also have recurring sections, similar to the way newspapers are laid out with business, arts, sports, and events sections. The sections will vary based on the services and products offered, but they should be kept consistent over time. For example, a newsletter from a company that helps people find work might include sections on “hot new opportunities,” “resume and LinkedIn tips,” and “staying motivated.” The cost is usually between $800 and $1,500 per issue. 

“GOOD NEWS” CASE STUDIES

Case studies are success stories about products or services written as a testimonial in story form. The goal is to showcase the experience of a happy customer. 

Case studies are widely used in the Business-to-Business (B2B) world when selling things like entire computer systems, networks, specialty software, large machinery, and so on. Since these purchases can be very costly, it usually takes more than one person within a company to make a buying decision. This is why case studies can be very useful. 

Case studies help move the sale forward, since they show how other companies successfully used a product or service and got a desired result (saving time and money, increased efficiency, and more). One study found that almost 80% of business buyers cited case studies to be among the most influential types of content for making a buying decision. 

Businesses have a perpetual need for these and any business looking to build credibility benefits from case studies, not just B2B. A recent survey published on Search Engine Land found that 85% of consumers read up to 10 reviews before interacting with a business… It makes sense. A review is almost like a personal recommendation from a friend. And a case study is at its core a very good review in a specific format.

Neuroscientists have proved that stories can deeply influence our beliefs and decisions. It’s hard to resist a great story mainly because stories appeal to our emotions and our capacity for empathy. Case studies are also the kind of project that businesses need on a regular basis. 

Case studies are short: usually just one to two pages, and rarely more than three to four pages and the time it takes to write one is between five and fifteen hours. Although it’s not a lot of text, the key to doing it right comes down to the specific structure. They are written in a journalistic writing style as opposed to a promotional writing style and the cost is usually between $1,500-$2,500. 

These are the nine main components of writing a case study:

1. A news-like headline — A one idea that communicates relevant benefits to the target audience in a compelling way. 
2. Customer background — This section describes the business customer in three to six sentences. 
3. The challenges — Here the main challenges the customer was facing are introduced and expanded on as related to the product or service featured in the case study. 
4. The journey — In this section, document the journey to the solution and the results. 
5. The solution — This is where the product or service is showcased as the answer to the customer’s challenges. 
6. The implementation — This is where how the product or service was used is explained. 
7. The results — This is where how well the product or service solved the customer’s challenges is detailed. 
8. Sidebar with summary points — This is so a reader can get the gist of the story without reading the entire case study
9. Pull-out quotes — One or two strong, relatively short customer quotes about solving the problem to use as a pull-out or featured quote. 

WHITE PAPERS

A white paper is a short essay specifically used to sell big, new, specialized, and expensive products. It’s full of facts and details that make the new product stand out from the competition, and shows the world why it’s the best solution on the market. White papers are largely used in the B2B (Business-to-Business) world. The products are usually very costly items like entire computer systems, networks, payroll systems, medical equipment, specialty software, large machinery, and so on. 

A white papers are the keystone of these large B2B sales. They use facts to lay the foundation for the sale. Some companies spend tens of thousands of dollars — or even hundreds of thousands of dollars — on large purchases. It’s why white papers are integral to ANY serious B2B company’s success.

About 90% of the traditional white papers use this basic format: 

Title Page – The title page contains, of course, the title of the white paper. But the page may have other information as well, such as the subtitle or a very short description of the white paper. Sometimes there are two or three sentences that describe the white paper in a little more detail.

Executive Overview – As the name implies, this is a short section that provides a quick overview of the white paper content. It’s no longer than a page — often just half a page long. Although its main purpose is to summarize the white paper information in an overview format, that overview also needs to whet the reader’s interest in reading the rest of the white paper. 

Main Section – The main section of a typical white paper will be about five to seven pages in length and include the following subsections:

Problem: The main area of the white paper starts by highlighting the problem in an effective way to capture and hold the reader’s interest. How a reader may be currently dealing with the problem and the downside of that approach can be highlighted because the  white paper is about a new and better solution.

Solution: Once the problem has been highlighted, the white paper’s new and better solution can be introduced. As the new and better solution is being described, clarity is key because the reader may not be entirely familiar with this particular solution. A pictorial representation of the solution is sometimes inserted here to help the reader understand the solution. 

Evidence: The evidence needs to show that the solution is better than what they’re using now. This is done by providing evidence from sources such as: 

• Statistics 
• Quotations from subject matter experts (SMEs) 
• Opinions of other experts outside the company 
• Research studies 
• Opinions published in respected publications 
• Excerpts from case studies 
• Surveys 

Expected Results: The expected results are what the reader can expect to achieve if he or she implements this solution. Results can be expressed in many different ways including, cost savings, sales increases, customer satisfaction, reduced fines and liabilities, increased productivity, and lower staff turnover. 

Summary and Next Steps – The summary is usually no more than one or two paragraphs long, It summarizes the white paper narrative and gives some suggestions to the reader about what to do next. 

Final Section (the “Pitch”) – The final section is usually anywhere from half a page to a page and is the “pitch” where gears are switched and the promotional talk about the sponsoring company and its product or service, that the white paper focuses on, starts. 

White papers normally take from six to eight weeks to complete (depending on the research); have a typical length of five to eight pages; and cost between $5,000 to $8,000 per project or about $1,000 per page.

How eBooks and White Papers Are The Same

While white papers existed long before the internet, often they can now be found as downloadable documents with multiple pages – just like an ebook. There are so many similarities between the two formats that it’s easy to see why they could be mistaken for one another. First of all, they’re both long-form and usually informational. They often cover topics that could not be adequately explained in a single blog post, and the text is usually organized into chapters or sections. They also usually contain images as opposed to strictly text. Both ebooks and white papers are tools often used by content marketers. Broadly defined, both formats are long, downloadable digital documents intended to educate the reader on a certain topic.

The subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences.

Difference #1: Purpose

eBooks – Generally speaking, the purpose of an ebook is to give a reader a broad, general overview of a topic. For example, Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to Link Building is an extremely popular ebook that answers questions tailored towards beginners such as, “what is link building?” The potential audience for such a topic is large, and the ebook itself doesn’t get crazy technical. In fact, near the end, it provides several other resources in which the reader can learn about more advanced techniques. Marketing-wise, ebooks can attract a lot of links simply due to their valuable information and shareability.

White Papers – White papers typically have a much smaller, targeted audience. They often tackle advanced issues or problems within a specific industry. Also, where an ebook doesn’t always advocate for a specific product or service, a white paper often describes how a certain product or service could be effective. For example, this white paper, titled “Drive Returns With Adaptive Content Promotion,” describes how content promotion tools like Taboola can be incredibly effective for getting traffic to your site. It’s not a sales pitch, but it definitely paints Taboola as a seriously powerful tool for monetization and conversions. Competitor company Outbrain is mentioned in passing one time.

Difference #2: Tone

eBooks – eBooks are often casual, conversational and friendly. The last two sentences of the first paragraph in the “Beginner’s Guide…” are: “There is a lot to take in, but we’ve broken everything up into easy-to-digest chapters and have included lots of examples along the way. We hope you enjoy The Beginner’s Guide to Link Building!”

White Papers – White papers are typically written with a much more authoritative and formal tone, like a textbook or an expert giving a lecture. The first sentence of “Drive Returns…” is: “Marketers’ large and growing investments in the creation of content that customers find valuable are now complemented by a number of paid tools that put that content in front of the right customers.” See the difference?

Difference #3: Data

eBooks – Because they generally provide a broad overview of a topic, ebooks don’t always have a ton of specific data related to case studies. The “Beginner’s Guide…” is backed up by several facts and figures (as a lot of good content is), but the numbers have a relatively low density when compared to the text as a whole.

White Papers – White papers are often filled with case studies, numbers and real-world data that backs up the use of whatever product or service is being touted.

Difference #4: Length

eBooks – An ebook can be anywhere from 10 to 100 pages. eBooks do not necessarily have a defined length and can end up being fairly long. The “Beginner’s Guide” has 89 pages.

White Papers – Because white papers were originally intended for busy executives, they’re typically very concise and to the point. A typical white paper falls somewhere in the range of four to eight pages. “Drive Returns…” is nine pages long with some supplemental information at the beginning and end.

Difference #5: Design

eBooks – eBooks are often filled with images, bulleted lists and relatively small chapters, making them easily scannable. The design does not necessarily have to be black text on a white background, either. The “Beginner’s Guide…” uses an off-white background and the image of “Link” from the Legend of Zelda video games throughout. Also, ebooks can be presented in either landscape or portrait.

White Papers – Again, think formal. White papers are usually quite text-heavy and not always long enough to be broken up into chapters. “Drive Returns…” does indeed have several bulleted lists, however. White papers are most often presented in portrait.

Content Is What Matters Most

In general, white papers can be more useful in B2B marketing while ebooks can be great for reaching out to consumers directly. In terms of content marketing, both can be great for earning some links. As usual, however, it’s the content itself that will make or break any document. 

White papers have only been thought of as “dead” because there has been such a glut of poorly-made ones in recent years. It’s important to make sure that these documents are always created with the reader in mind. If a reader doesn’t get anything out of an ebook or white paper, you can forget about using them for marketing. For example, readers will feel especially duped if you require them to enter their email address to get your valueless content.

Also, the differences between ebooks and white papers are not set in stone. Some ebooks might be shorter than certain white papers, and some white papers might have a more elaborate design. Indeed, John Fox lists “ebook” as being a synonym for “white paper.” If marketers keep using both approaches in the future, the distinction between them may continue to blur. Ultimately, the “rules” you break will be determined by the wants and needs of your audience.

https://www.contentcustoms.com/2014/10/28/white-papers-arent-dead-but-how-are-they-different-from-ebooks/

UX COPYWRITING

User experience (UX) copywriting is a type of copywriting that puts the needs of the user first. UX copywriting is used on websites, digital products, and apps. It’s a key factor in ensuring users have a great digital experience. UX copywriting is called a “triple-win” because it transforms writing into a great experience for readers, boosts the client’s bottom line, and generates a positive impact. UX looks at the entire customer journey, from beginning to end. And a UX copywriter’s job is to make every online touchpoint a positive and intuitive experience for the user.

UX needs to be simple, painless, and rewarding because the user experience is always happening like reading a blog post, searching for a specific product, or signing up for a newsletter. Every interaction or touchpoint a company has with a person shapes the experience which means web pages, product pages, ad funnels, customer service scripts, social media content, FAQs, and more need to give the readers a good experience. 

Spending on user experience is expected to grow by more than 16% a year for the next five years, going from $465 million in spending to $1.3 billion and 84% of businesses are planning to increase their focus on UX. Whether they know it or not, every business online is providing a user experience, which means that every business can benefit from UX structure. 

What does UX copywriting look like? 

How is it structured? 

A good UX website and app focus on creating that experience. Whether it’s clear button text, simple instructions when you encounter a sign-in error, a clear ordering process, or conversational copy the goal is to make every interaction a UX experience. UX content fits seamlessly into the buyer journey. If a user clicks on a button to download a free report, then that’s what happens and they don’t get redirected to another landing page or encounter a “404 — Page not found” error. 

To be an effective UX copywriter, you just need to follow these six pointers: 

1. Be Empathetic — It’s All About the User! 

The UX copy has to know who’s being talked to, how they feel, what they need, what makes them happy, and what their frustrations are. 

2. Be Clear — Eliminate Confusion 

The message has to be clear to the readers. As with any copywriting project, the readers have to be familiar with the language used. Jargon should be avoided and any acronyms need to be spelled out. Any confusing sentences or sections need to be rewritten. 

3. Be Concise — Don’t Waste Words 

Great UX copywriting provides readers with all the information they need… and doesn’t bog them down with unnecessary filler. Edit ruthlessly to eliminate anything that takes the focus away from your message. 

4. Be Consistent — Match Your Client’s Style 

Great UX copywriters make sure their copy is consistent with the tone, voice, and structure of their client’s brand. 

5. Respect Your Reader — Be Polite! 

One thing you never want to do is talk down to your readers. An example is, “If you don’t want to buy/try/use our product, you must not want to succeed.” Instead, try “Our product can help you succeed!” 

6. Make It Easy — Format for Maximum Readability 

The goal of UX writing is to make it easy for the reader to accomplish the task at hand, whether it’s navigating a website, using software, or making an online purchase. Clear and concise writing helps, but formatting and structure also play a role. Check your copy to make sure sentences and paragraphs are short and easy to read. Use subheadings that are easy to scan, add bullets or numbered lists for information, and insert images to break up text.

A typical blog post takes about an hour to write and costs about $500 per post, but because of the extra skills needed to be a UX copywrite, the typical UX blog post costs about $700 per post. 

MONEY-MAKING WEBSITE WRITING 

A Money-Making Website is an informational website on a topic you’re interested in. It’s one of the easiest types of websites to create and maintain. Not to mention one of the most profitable. People who publish on a Money-Making Website usually don’t sell anything. They simply write and share information. Ideally, a Money-Making Website focuses on something you’re interested in. Some examples might be a hobby or passion… like gardening, parenting, skydiving, journaling, or anything else. 

Your goal is for readers to find your website when they search the internet for information on your chosen topic. They can be attracted through many methods, but the end game is that they’ll read your content and purchase something based on your recommendations. When they do that, you’ll receive a commission. So, every page added to your website is like adding a new revenue stream to your income… And that’s how — and why — Money-Making Websites are a great way to turn spare-time writing into a highly profitable passive income stream.

Every day, millions of people use the internet to search for specific information, and many wind up making a purchase or clicking on a promotional link. Whenever they do that, someone gets paid. Taking advantage of the incredible power and potential of the internet, when you have your own Money-Making Website in a small, profitable niche you can take advantage of a market that others aren’t serving well. This opportunity is a great way to be in complete control of every aspect of your business. 

Your spare-time writing gig can pay you as much as $400, $1,000, $3,500, or more — per month. (And, you can write about a topic you love!) So there’s no certain answer, but I can tell you this: The more time and effort you put in, the more you’ll profit. 

PROOFREADING

Proofreading is required for all written document text and includes general proofreading and academic citation formatting. The process includes formatting academic parentheticals, bibliography and research citations in APA and MLA formats, correcting grammar, mechanics, punctuation, spelling, usage and formatting errors.

Other proofreading projects include theses, dissertations, manuscripts, grant proposals, non-profit communications, copywriting projects, social media projects. 

The process includes initial document review, red pen correcting on a printed document, digital version corrections, clean copy review, attach the clean copy and the tracked changes version to email the client.  

Current proofreading rates are $25-$60 an hour; $2-$5 per page or $6-$8 for every 1,000 words.