Count research, drafting and edits in your words-per-hour figure — that’s what makes the result realistic.
Per-word rate = hourly rate ÷ finished words per hour. "Finished" is the key: include research, interviews, outlining, drafting and every round of edits, not just typing speed.
To check an offer, flip it around: effective hourly rate = per-word rate × words per hour.
It varies hugely by topic and depth. Time a few real pieces from brief to final edit and divide the word count by total hours — that's your honest number.
Per-project pricing usually pays better for complex pieces because it values research and expertise. Per-word works for simple, high-volume content.