Starting Out As A Freelancer.

Whether you are an entry-level freelancer or a former employee looking to start on your own, you might be confused as to how to negotiate rates with clients. You may meet clients who want to take advantage of the fact that you are just starting out and underpay you, or you might even be tempted to accept ridiculous rates just so you can keep these clients. The tips I'm going to outline here are going to help you avoid the above-mentioned situations. You might be new to the industry or the business of freelancing but, you still deserve decent pay for your work.

1) Have a decent portfolio: Before starting on your own, I'd usually advise that you have a fairly decent portfolio. This could include some of the work you did while you learnt the skill or service you are trying to sell, work you've done for family and friends or even free jobs you've done for other people. This is so that you can have a history of working experience to show potential clients. Remember, you do not have to be perfect. There's always room for growth and improvement.

2) Ask other industry professionals: You can ask friends or colleagues who have been in the industry how much they charge for jobs. You certainly do not want to undersell yourself. If you don't friends or colleagues with such experience, you can simply research on your own, or go on social media platforms and ask questions. There are a lot of people who would be willing to help. Doing this can give you a pricing range to work with depending on the clients or service requirements.

3) Have a price range: Having fixed rates can save you a lot of stress. First, you'll spare yourself the trouble of actually negotiating with clients. A price range simply states this is what I charge for this service or this amount of work. This way, anybody who wants to work with you already knows what to expect. This is especially helpful if you have a website or a social media account for advertising your services.

4) Be confident: You'll find yourself more easily swayed if you are not confident in your abilities. You should be sure you are able to deliver quality service. Confidence in the value of your service may also deter you from accepting poor pay. Yes, it can be daunting trying to get clients and close deals but, you should not appear desperate. Stand your ground and be reasonable with your expectations. If some clients do not agree, it's alright to let them go. In my experience, these clients are the hardest to please. In the long run, the stress might even affect your quality of service because the pay is not worth your while.

5) Review the terms of service properly: You might meet clients who would agree to pay you the amount you are asking for but with some conditions. Review these conditions carefully as some might be detrimental to you. Ask a lawyer or friends to help. If possible, present conditions of your own as well. Do not agree to any arrangement you are uncomfortable with.

6) Deliver awesome work! As you do more jobs, you start to develop confidence in your abilities. This is only possible if you do your best and get good reviews from your clients. Good reviews mean continued patronage, more experience to add to your portfolio, referrals and eventually, more money as more people begin to demand for your services.