Finding the Right Pricing Strategy as a Freelance Writer

  • Finding the Right Pricing Strategy as a Freelance Writer

    Posted by Tracy Singleton on 26/01/2025 at 4:14 AM

    Have you ever been told “Just raise your rates!” whenever you mention your earnings as a freelancer?

    It’s a common piece of advice on social media platforms like LinkedIn. But is it really that straightforward?

    Let’s consider an analogy: imagine you own a beautiful antique chest bound with brass. In theory, it might be worth thousands of rupees. However, to actually sell it at that price, you’d need to find someone willing to pay that much which could be challenging. If you desperately needed money, you might end up accepting much less than its ‘true’ value.

    How does this relate to freelance writing?
    If you’re a decent writer, it’s possible you’re worth more than what you charge right now. But if you suddenly raise your rates and end up losing all your existing clients, you might be left with little to no work. That leaves you “like the antique chest without a buyer”: valuable, but not generating any real income.

    So, what’s the solution?
    One strategy is to first secure new clients who are prepared to pay higher prices. Once you build a comfortable base of well-paying customers, you can approach your existing, lower-paying clients to discuss a rate increase. Some may agree, others may not—but with your new client base, you’ll stay busy and gradually boost your income.

    Ultimately, your rates should be aligned with what your clients are willing to pay. If you believe you can earn more, focus on finding clients who recognise and pay for the value you bring to the table. After all, pricing isn’t just about setting a number—it’s about knowing your worth and making sure there’s a market to back it.

    Dmytro Dobarin replied 3 days, 8 hours ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Tracy Singleton

    Member
    26/01/2025 at 4:14 AM

    Hey, everyone Tracy here! I just wanted to apologise for my long absence. Work got super hectic and I had to take a step back from the community for a while. But I’ve finally managed to figure out a better schedule, and I’m excited to say I’ll be dedicating specific hours each week to hang out here, share insights, and answer questions. Looking forward to catching up with all of you!

  • María Belén C

    Member
    26/01/2025 at 4:38 AM

    That’s good in theory. But it also depends on how many writers are willing to do the job at a lower rate (lot, lot lower)

    When you work in a saturated market, such as Spanish writers (from every Spanish-speaking country), that goal is an illusion: there are hundreds of other freelancers willing to take projects as half my rate and even less

    • Tracy Singleton

      Member
      26/01/2025 at 5:28 AM

      Hey Maria,

      I totally get where you’re coming from working in a specialized niche like Spanish writing can sometimes feel like you’re battling a massive crowd that’s ready to charge rock-bottom rates (reminds me of folks sprinting for doorbuster deals on Black Friday). But from my experience, there’s still room for writers who can really showcase top-notch quality and expertise.

      I’ve found that even in crowded markets, businesses often need very specific skills or backgrounds. Are you a whiz at marketing copy, legal translations, or maybe medical writing? If you pinpoint an area where you absolutely shine, you’ll stand out to clients who need exactly that. And trust me, those clients are a lot less likely to go for bargain-basement bidders when they’re looking for someone with the right know-how.

      I know it’s tough, but I’ve battled plenty of lowball offers on Upwork myself. One thing that helped me was focusing on the unique value I bring. For instance, if you’ve got a knack for making complex topics easy to digest—or you’ve got some special industry insights—play that up in your proposals. Clients who appreciate that level of detail and professionalism will pay accordingly (and they won’t haggle you down to half your rate).

      Anyway, I’m curious have you thought about narrowing your focus even more or emphasizing a certain type of writing you do better than anyone else? Let me know

  • Dmytro Dobarin

    Member
    05/02/2025 at 9:08 AM

    Hi, Tracy. It’s an iteresting article. Thank you.

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