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Help! I’m underpricing my freelance rates

October 6, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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underpricing freelance ratesDr. Freelance: You have probably heard this before, but I constantly look at the going freelance rates for a project on one of the industry rate charts, add up the average per page/word costs, then think, “I can’t charge THAT!” So I end up underpricing myself and throwing in freebies such as marketing plans and so on.

I am aware of the danger of undervaluing my work, but I have really yet to find a client who understands the value in what they are receiving and are willing to pay full price. I recently lost out on an editing project, which I’d priced at $1,500 for 80 hours, to another editor who charged $400. I understand that I need to do a better job of pricing accurately, but how do I avoid losing work to someone who’s supplementing their retirement income with a few dollars?—Shooting Myself in the Foot [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: estimating projects, pricing freelance jobs, rates too low, science art and voodoo

10 freelance pricing fudge factors

September 1, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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freelance pricing fudge factorsIn addition to the measurable facts of a project (work volume, meeting time, deadline, etc.), freelance pricing requires accounting for highly individual items that can’t be defined in hours or put into a spreadsheet—but will have an impact on how much you charge: [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: estimating projects, Freelance Pricing, science art and voodoo

Size doesn’t matter (when it comes to rates)

August 11, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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size doesnt matterDr. Freelance: I’ve been freelance writing for several large, successful companies. I have established rates with them that are manageable for their budgets, but definitely high on the pay scale. Now I’ve been contacted by a mid-sized company in the same industry; they’ve very interested and asked for my rates. My question is: What pay/rate scale do you find is most palatable for mid-sized companies? They would be looking for me to create information manuals, website content, and other consumer-facing collateral.—Dot

Dot, I’d never assume that the pay is lower just because a company is smaller! If it’s a successful organization, size doesn’t matter: They understand the fact that high-quality, professional writing (and the level of service you deliver) is about value, and doesn’t come cheap if they want to compete with their larger peers. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: client perspectives, pricing freelance jobs, sales strategies, size doesn't matter

Kindle deal on Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing

August 7, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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Science Art Voodoo of Getting PaidUpdate: The Kindle Countdown deal for The Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing and Getting Paid is now closed. (Regular price is $3.99 on Kindle and $11.95 in paperback.)

To be alerted to the next Kindle deal, make sure to subscribe to Dr. Freelance in the sidebar!

This Dr. Freelance guide not only walks you through how to set rates for your freelance services, but offers plenty of strategic tips on persuasive estimating, client negotiations, raising your fees, and more.
[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: Dr. Freelance Guides, Freelance Pricing, kindle countdown

How to use pricing to avoid red-flag clients

July 22, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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red flag client pricingI recently received a call from a marketing person who was eager for me to provide the content for a few of her clients’ websites. I knew about two minutes into the call that pricing was going to be an issue, when she spoke the classic phrase you’ll hear from many red-flag clients: “We have a small budget…”

I didn’t want to be rude and cut her short, because that’s not the reputation I want to have in the business community. Anyone who calls me for writing or editing services needs to be treated with dignity and respect. I did, however, need to find a polite way to let her understand that I wasn’t going to be interested in having her as a client. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: Freelance Pricing, it's just business, red-flag clients, sales strategies

Free ebook: The Smooth-Sailing Freelancer

July 16, 2015 by Jake Poinier

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The Smooth-Sailing FreelancerI’m pleased to announce the launch of the newest Dr. Freelance Guide: The Smooth-Sailing Freelancer—How To Find, Sell, and Retain More Freelance Business. For a limited time, I’m offering it as a free ebook…simply go to this page to download your copy. (It’s a 40-page pdf, no e-reader required. There’s also a Kindle version, if you prefer.)

Rest assured, you don’t have to know a bow from a stern or port from starboard to understand the strategies inside. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Make More Money Freelancing Tagged With: Dr. Freelance Guides, ebook, freelance business, prospective clients, sales strategies, smooth sailing, starting out

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