(this one is important - 2 minute read)

"What is your rate?"

This is a question that a lot of people want to ask established freelancers, especially people who are starting out. I know I wanted to ask it so badly, thinking that I could then raise my rats... 🙄

It took me years until I was on the receiving end of that question, to fully understand that it really doesn't matter how much someone else is charging and that it doesn't make any difference if you know the exact amount or not.

No one will pay you the same rate as someone who's been doing this for ten years.

There's a massive difference between our craft and services we do, and the act of selling that for money. When you start out you need to really get good at what you do. Don't get side-tracked by fantasies of "making a ton of money as a freelancer" before you can point to your work and say "I did this, it's worth something".

If you don't have anything to show - build your portfolio with work that you can put out in the real world. Reach out to the local charity and see what services you can provide them that you can showcase. There are a ton of underfunded organisations that will welcome free help from a professional, or someone looking to become one.

Approach them with "look at my work, my craft is good" and be open about where you are, it's not wrong to say "my work is good, but I'm an amateur in the business side, budgets and schedules, serving people and businesses like you. Give me a project so I can prove to you that I can become a professional at it.

You might even be surprised how many of those will reward you for your efforts. Not necessarily in money, but you never know what doors will open when you put yourself out there. Someone will see your work. And more importantly, you'll have something "real" to show to everyone.

Just because you are helping someone for free, doesn't mean that you are devaluing your work. Your work is your work. But you are recognising where you are in your career - and it's just a step to where you want to be.

Pricing your free work

When I was building my portfolio and offered my services for free to a local charity, or a friend who had a business - I made sure that they knew the value of my work. I just gave them a 100% discount on it.

And, I've asked them - If someone asks how much you paid for it, please recommend me, and tell them my full price, without the 100% discount, of course - that's how I got some of my first referrals. And I still get them years later.

If you missed the emails on pricing:

#015 - 💸 Pricing Basics I.💰hourly vs. day rate

#016 - 💵 Pricing II. 💰 Calculating rates

When I learned the rates of this guy that I knew and admired - I wanted nothing more than to "make as much money as he did", but I couldn't. So, I just kept working, doing what I do, getting better while doing it, and by the time I got there - I realised - time passed, and I gained experience and recognition - and there's no shortcut in that. 

Cheers.

T.

MISSED PREVIOUS EMAILS? NO PROBLEM!

📜 BREAKING FREELANCE ARCHIVE

check out previous newsletters here

psssst... thanks for sharing! :) I really appreciate it!