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[Miles Smiles]

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To Johnpartee:

Yeah, you right, bro'!

[ShanghaiSurprise]

[johntpartee]

[ShanghaiSurprise]

OP,

The rate should be something you're satisfied with. The previously stated $30 flat-rate is one example, and that person seemed satisfied with the arrangement.

I calculated the per-word rate of my upcoming editing assignment, and it came out to around 0.115 rmb per word. In all honesty, I think that's a high rate, especially considering this is for a journal publication that is already typed really well.

The biggest thing is whether you're going to try and fix content or not. If you will only fix grammar, then I'd say a rate as low as 0.05 rmb should be totally sufficient. If it's already been written with somewhat decent grammar/punctuation, then you won't have too much work to do. If it's not done well, then move up to closer to 0.1 rmb per word.

I just looked at a short essay that I've previously edited for content. The page had 500 words on it. That would be 25 rmb per page at 0.05 rmb per word. If you're just doing basic grammar and punctuation, then you should be able to easily do several pages per hour. That's a pretty good rate for not having to leave your desk.

Also, are you doing this as a "favour", or is this just primarily a business deal to make some extra money. Obviously, if you choose the latter, you'll charge more.

In the end, just be happy with the payment you're receiving and as time passes you'll become more familiar with what rate you should be choosing is. Also, you'll get faster as time goes by, so your starting rate will actually become worth more if you compare it to the time you are putting in. Now, if you care about total earnings and not total time, then what I just said won't be of any benefit to you.

Good luck, and let us know what you're able to negotiate. I know that I'm curious about how well you can do.