Find out how to raise your freelance rates using two key “client triggers.” Especially if you’re a new freelancer looking to break free from penny-pinching clients.
I’m back with another Freelance Q&A this week!
This one comes from copywriter Leanne Marshall.
And it’s all about how to raise your freelance rates.
Also — even though she mentions being a “newbie” — my answer applies to freelancers of all levels.
So don’t tune out if you’re already past the early stages of your freelance career.
Since I’m going to share two key “client triggers” you need look for if you want to raise your freelance rates . No matter how much you charge right now.
Okay, here’s Leanne’s question:
“What was it that took you to the next level up from newbie in terms of rates?
In my case I’m trying to get off from Upwork and have been pitching and doing some Junior work for other copywriters but even that appears to be hit and miss. Talking rates it is $25 on Upwork, then I just did something for someone that was $30.”
When It Comes To Raising Your Freelance Rates, I’d Look For Two Key “Triggers” With Your Potential Clients…
Their willingness and ability to pay.
Because if a client is not willing to pay — meaning they don’t see the value in your services — it doesn’t matter how big their budget is.
They won’t want to invest in your help.
On the other hand — if a client doesn’t have the budget for your services — it doesn’t matter how badly they want to hire you.
They won’t have the ability to pay the higher rates you’re after.
Now if you’re running into price objections — especially at $25/hour — my gut says the problem is that your prospects lack the ability to pay.
They’re just too small.
So I Would Start By Looking For Ways To Reach Bigger Clients Who Have Larger Budgets
You can try the strategic partnership approach I picked up from Jay Abraham, my 30-second referral method, and the ideas I list at the end of this article about how to get to $5,000 per month fast(ish).
But At The Same Time, I Would Also Start To Pay Attention To How I’m Pitching Myself To Potential Clients
Because once you get in front of bigger prospects, you may find you need to improve your sales skills to actually get them to hire you.
So you need to start working on how to communicate the value you can bring to their business…
And why that value justifies the higher rates you want to charge.
Personally, I learned about value-based pricing from Jonathan Stark when he was a regular host on The Freelancer Show podcast.
He’s not on the show anymore. But I saw he has a free email course on value-based pricing. And I’m guessing it will share the same things I picked up from his time on the show.
I also learned about “doing the math” for my clients from Stefan Georgi. Which is his method for illustrating the ROI you can generate to your clients.
He talks about it in this Forbes article and this video he posted on Facebook. So I would also study his approach.
That way, you can use the resources I shared earlier to find clients with the ability to pay higher rates…
Then you can make them willing to pay your higher rates by selling them on the value of your work…
And if you get those two things right, you will almost certainly wind up with a new client paying you higher rates!
Now Let Me Show You How To Make Freelance Clients Come To You — Like Clockwork — Using A Simple, 30-Second Conversation…
All the details are inside my free business blueprint 30-Second Referrals.
With this free PDF, you’ll discover how to use a simple, 30-second conversation to get two referrals from every single client you sign. (I’ll even show you exactly what to say during this conversation with my word-for-word script on page 13.)
That way, you can make clients come to you like clockwork. And you can fill your pipeline with more new business than you can handle.
But there is a small catch…
30-Second Referrals is only available to members The Freelance Like A Pro email list.
So enter your best real email below to join us and claim your free copy of 30-Second Referrals now. (And you’ll get my members-only emails to help you run a more profitable and stress-free freelance business, too.)
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Thanks for the freelancing guide and the emails that you've been sending out — the 30-second referral method is so stupidly simple, that it's genius!
Connor Inch, Freelance Copywriter