Freelance rates - help

aconeill · 10/11/2007

hi, i've just started out freelancing in PR and copywriting and recently succeeded in getting my first client on board on a long tern contract. however after researching freelance rates further i feel i have undercharged them on a daily rate! i havent signed a contract with them as yet - but i have worked my first three days for them this week. i'm not sure whether to try and re-negotiate the fee, or write in a contract clause that will review my rates in 3 months, with an intention of upping them. also dont want to scare them off. i really dont want to undersell myself as this will be my main source of income long term. any advice appreciated. thanks

aconeill

aconeill

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11 October 2007 10:17

hi,

i've just started out freelancing in PR and copywriting and recently succeeded in getting my first client on board on a long tern contract.

however after researching freelance rates further i feel i have undercharged them on a daily rate!

i havent signed a contract with them as yet - but i have worked my first three days for them this week.

i'm not sure whether to try and re-negotiate the fee, or write in a contract clause that will review my rates in 3 months, with an intention of upping them. also dont want to scare them off.

i really dont want to undersell myself as this will be my main source of income long term.

any advice appreciated.

thanks

glebe digital 11 October 2007 12:59

glebe digital

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Well if you've started work on this 'at an agreed rate' then you'll damage your relationship with them if you suggest you want to up your costs retrospectively.

Difficult one. 🙁

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e0c 11 October 2007 13:44

e0c

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This is your first client, there's no harm in under charging them.

Make sure they know you undercharged them at some point.... This will stop them "refering people to you cos your 'cheaper'"....

Lowering your price slightly help's attract new clients especially when you first start off! Dont do them too low, cheap = not good.
Rizzo 24 October 2007 06:42

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Upping rates with long term clients

Morning all :cool2

this is quite an interesting topic I think, how do you review your rates mid long term contract? The usual stuff would be to set milestones so you can demonstrate you met these, 'over deliver' where you can and set a review meeting 3 months in or thereabouts to check both parties are happy, and re-negotiate them if it doesn't damage relations. If you think you can get better better paid work elsewhere would you be prepared to walk or is the security better?

Any other tips?