If you’re a freelancer, it’s important to know how to get paid more for your work. After all, getting compensated appropriately is the whole point of being self-employed! You don’t want to be trying to make ends meet with what you’re getting paid, so here are some ways to get paid more as a freelancer.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Utilize value-based pricing to set fair and profitable rates. |
| 2. Enhance your skills and offer specialized services. |
| 3. Clearly communicate your expertise and unique selling points. |
| 4. Establish strong relationships with your clients. |
| 5. Set clear project scope and avoid scope creep. |
| 6. Provide excellent customer service and support. |
| 7. Ask for testimonials and referrals from satisfied clients. |
| 8. Consider offering package deals or retainer agreements. |
| 9. Improve your time management to increase productivity. |
| 10. Explore new platforms and marketplaces for more opportunities. |
| 11. Negotiate for higher rates based on your value. |
| 12. Showcase your portfolio and positive feedback. |
| 13. Stay updated on industry trends and best practices. |
| 14. Join relevant freelance communities for networking. |
| 15. Always deliver high-quality work to build a strong reputation. |
1. Take On Long-Term Clients
Working with the same clients for a long time has a number of benefits. You don’t have to go through the onboarding process over and over, which can be a real time suck. You also develop a really good understanding of their needs and preferences, which makes the actual work easier and therefore faster.
Because you’re spending less time on things like onboarding and learning, you can take on more clients without having to put in more hours. Most importantly, you know what they expect in terms of deliverables, so you’re able to set your rates accordingly.
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2. Learn How To Negotiate
Many freelancers are afraid of asking for more money. This can be for a number of reasons: maybe you think the client will say no, or maybe you don’t feel comfortable negotiating.
If you want to get paid more, you have to learn how to negotiate. When you negotiate, not only do you have the best chance of getting the salary that you want, but it also shows that you value yourself and your work.
3. Find A New Client That Pays More Than Your Current Client
If you’re tired of making pennies for your work, then it’s time to find a new client that pays what you deserve. You don’t have to stick with the same dinky clients just because you’re scared of going out on a limb. There are thousands of potential clients waiting for your skills and expertise. But the only way you can get their attention is by putting yourself out there and making yourself known.
As a freelancer, understanding how to get the most dollars out of your clients is crucial. Our comprehensive guide on how to get the most dollars out of your client will equip you with negotiation tactics and strategies to secure higher-paying projects and thrive in your freelance career.
4. Make The Most Of Feedback And Testimonials
Whether it’s a client who’s already been happy with your work or an industry leader who’s going to be writing about you on their blog, getting a testimonial is the best way to set yourself apart from other freelancers.
However, don’t go out of your way to ask clients for testimonials—they’ll feel obligated to say nice things if you’re asking them for one. You should also make sure that you’re sending client testimonials through a service like Upwork, which will save you time and ensure that the business is being handled properly.
Testimonials are a great way to build your credibility. In fact, they’re one of the best ways to get noticed by potential clients. Testimonials increase your chances of getting hired because they show that other people like the work you do.
5. Bundle Services With Higher-Rate Clients
One way to quickly increase your income is to start offering bundled packages of your services. Bundling is when you package a few of your services together into one service offering and sell them as a package deal. For example, instead of charging a client $100 for each blog post you write for them, you can bundle the blog posts into a package of 10 at the rate of $750 per package.
The major benefit to bundling is that you’ll be able to work with higher-rate clients faster than if you were working with lower-rate clients. In the example above, if it takes you an average of five hours to write 10 blog posts, then you would make $150 per hour. This is more than double what you were making before, and all it took was packaging your services differently!
6. Price Yourself As A Premium Service
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s the easiest way to make more money. Tack on another $50 or $100 per job, and you’ll quickly see a difference in your income.
This is especially effective if you’re offering a service that other freelancers don’t have. For example, I’m a freelance writer who focuses on writing blog posts for small businesses. Most of my competitors are writing general interest articles, so they’re able to charge less. By specializing in business writing, I’m able to price myself at a premium rate.
7. Don’t Just Say You’re The Best, Show It
If you want your clients to recognize your value, you need to show them what makes you special. And that means more than just words—you need to prove it with examples. If you’re an expert on a certain topic, make sure to include links to relevant articles you’ve written or awards you’ve won.
Or if you have a knack for landing clients with high search rankings, consider giving away a free SEO audit for prospects who are curious about what’s holding them back on Google. Your clients will appreciate your expertise and be more likely to hire someone they trust can get the job done well from the get-go.”
Building a strong network of backlinks from authoritative sites is essential for your online presence. Discover 15 effective ways to acquire backlinks in our in-depth article on 15 Ways to Get Backlinks from Authority Sites and boost your website’s visibility and search engine rankings.
8. Know Your Worth
Whether you’re a veteran freelancer or just starting out, it pays to have an idea of what you should be charging. It’s not always easy to know what your time is worth, especially if you’re new to freelancing and don’t have years of experience under your belt.
That’s why it’s important to research your industry, spend some time scoping out the competition, and come up with a reasonable rate that you think your clients will be willing to pay.
9. Reduce Expenses
Many freelancers are able to deduct a certain percentage of their income for business expenses. This can be done by tracking all of your invoices in a spreadsheet or using accounting software like FreshBooks or Quickbooks.
If you use tools like these to track your invoices you’ll easily be able to see which clients give you the best value for your time and which ones are costing you money.
You’ll also have a clear picture of how much you spend on things like advertising, equipment, software, and anything else related to running your business. If you ever need to take out a loan, this will make it easier for lenders to see that your business has good cash flow.
10. Have A Portfolio That Showcases The Best Of What You’ve Written
Your portfolio is your business card, so to speak. It’s a distillation of who you are and what you can do. Sure, it’s kind of like putting together a resume, but it’s not the same thing. Whereas a resume is designed to show that you’re qualified for the job, your portfolio is designed to show that you’re actually good at what you do.
When you’re looking at your portfolio, ask yourself whether or not these samples really demonstrate what you can do and how well you can do it. And don’t be afraid to mix things up: if you work in different industries, then make sure there are examples from all of them in your portfolio. Don’t just stick to one industry and let people assume that’s all you know how to write about!
11. Consider Saying No To Jobs That Don’t Pay Enough
We know—this is a tough one. But sometimes, you have to be willing to walk away from a job that doesn’t pay enough. When you’re an early-stage freelancer, it can be tempting to take any job that comes your way, but you need to think about the long-term impact of accepting jobs where you are underpaid.
You only have so much time in a day, and you want to make sure you’re spending as much of it as possible on work that pays well and is a good fit for your skillset. Accepting low-paying gigs can also send the message to future clients or employers that they can get away with paying lower rates than they should.
If a client approaches you with a new project, don’t hesitate to counter with a rate that is closer to what you really deserve!
Client satisfaction is the key to success as a freelancer. Learn how to provide exceptional service and keep your clients happy with our practical tips in how to make 99% of your clients happy. Satisfied clients lead to positive reviews, repeat business, and a thriving freelance career.
12. Charge By The Word Instead Of The Hour
When you charge by the hour, you’re automatically placing a cap on your income. There’s only so much time in a day, so there are only so many hours you can work.
But when you charge by the word, you’re placing a cap on how much time it takes to write each piece. You’re forced to write more efficiently, and to get more done in less time, which means that you ultimately make more money.
It’s also a good idea (at least at the beginning of your career) to charge less per word than if you charged by the hour. You’ll get more clients this way, and if it takes you less time to write each article, then you’ll just make your money back faster.
13. Up Date Your Rates Regularly
Freelancing is a business, and like any other business, you need to set your prices based on the current market conditions, not what you think the market is or what it used to be. Prices in your industry are constantly changing and adjusting, sometimes from year to year.
To make sure your rates are still competitive while also factoring in inflation and the increasing cost of living, regularly review them and consider raising them. Once a year is often a good time frame to do this, but if you’re paid by the hour, it’s more frequent than that. And if you work in an industry where rates are known to fluctuate a lot, consider checking them every 6 months or even more frequently.
14. Get Clear On Your Rates And Stick To Them
This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself as a freelancer. If you’re not clear on your rates, and if you don’t know what your bottom line is, you’ll find yourself working at bargain-basement prices and then wondering why you’re always broke.
The best thing you can do is sit down with a calculator and figure out how much money you need to make per hour to support yourself, then determine how many words or hours it will take to hit that number at different rates. Once you know what your rates are, stick to them! Don’t negotiate except when the client has a good reason
15. Charge Differently For New Clients Vs Repeat Clients
You can charge more for new clients who have never done business with you before compared to existing clients who have worked with you in the past. Existing clients are easier to land because they already know what it’s like to work with you so they don’t require as much hand-holding or coddling. So if someone is a repeat client, thank them by offering them a discount on your services.
For freelancers using Upwork, understanding how to build a business that thrives on the platform is crucial. Check out our article on 12 ways on how to use Upwork to build a business that doesn’t suck to maximize your opportunities, stand out from the competition, and achieve long-term success on Upwork.
Final thought
After this, it’s up to you. You have the skills – now use them. Look for avenues to make yourself stand out after all, there is a ton of competition out there. Get as much work as you can, keep your friends close, and enemies closer. You’ll need their connections to get more work, even if you do hate them and they hate you. Don’t ignore your responsibilities either – deliver quality at all costs.
Further Reading
How to Make Money from Home in 14 Ways: Explore various legitimate ways to earn money from the comfort of your home, from freelancing to online businesses.
How to Make Money at Home: Discover practical tips and strategies to generate income while working from home.
Make Money Online: Learn about different online opportunities to make money and create a sustainable income stream.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ask for a raise as a freelance writer?
If you’ve been working with a client for a while and feel like they should be paying you more, then it may be time to ask for a raise. Some clients will be open to negotiation, while others won’t be interested in changing their rates at all.
When should I send an invoice?
You should send an invoice as soon as you complete your work. If you’re setting up a new payment schedule with your client, make sure to send them an invoice with their first assignment so they’re aware of what’s coming. You can also include the new payment schedule in your contract or project proposal, so there’s no confusion.
Should I send invoices directly to my client?
No! As a general rule of thumb, never send invoices directly to your client. The best way to do this is through your freelance platform . That way, both you and your client are protected in case of any payment disputes.
What email address should I use when sending invoices?
Always use the same email address when sending invoices the one linked to your account, even if it’s different from the one you use for all other correspondence
How to get paid more for your writing?
But what I’ve learned from my freelance writing experience is that getting paid more isn’t just about having a high hourly rate. The most successful freelancers also have strong marketing and sales skills.
How do freelancers charge?
Most freelancers charge an hourly rate or a per-project fee. You will also want to include expenses such as taxes and any business-related costs like software subscriptions or marketing fees.
Why should I get paid more?
You know you’re worth it. If a client won’t pay you at least that much, then maybe you shouldn’t work for them.
How do I set my price as a freelancer?
You should first decide on an hourly rate that accounts for the cost of doing business in addition to your salary expectations. Then, it’s just a matter of finding ways to bill more hours or work with bigger clients who will pay you more per project.
What is the difference between an independent contractor and a freelancer?
An independent contractor is someone who works for themselves without being employed by any other party full-time or part-time. Freelancers are self-employed individuals who provide services to multiple clients without being permanently committed to one employer at any given time.
Can you make money writing articles online?
Let’s be clear: you do not need to be an expert to become a freelance writer. You just need a passion for learning, a drive to succeed, and some hustle.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.