I’ll lower my Freelance Writing Rates for you
As a freelance writer, you should have an idea of what you charge for particular projects. While your freelance writing rates can and will change over time, you need to make sure that you have an idea of what you are dealing with at the present. This will go a long way in helping you to stay organized, while also making your life easier when quoting potential clients.
Do you ever find yourself saying, “I’ll lower my freelance writing rates for you?†If so, you need to dig deep and determine why you are doing this. It is not uncommon for a buyer to want to negotiate a lower price. In fact, I have found that this happens more times than not. But remember, you are in charge of your freelance writing career. You should never feel pressured to lower your price because you think that the buyer will walk.
You need to think about it this way: if you lower your rates you are saying two things to the buyer. First off, you are telling them that your “set†rate is too high. After all, if you are willing to negotiate down in price you are admitting that you are charging too much. Additionally, when you lower your price you are also saying that you are not worth a higher amount. Remember, you are a professional. You have the right to set your own fee schedule and then stick to it at all times.
When you stick to your guns, you may be surprised to find that the buyer still selects you for the job. In fact, you may gain a lot of respect by nicely saying “my rates are fair and I cannot offer a lower price.†In the long run, this sort of self confidence will work in your favor. It will also allow you to feel better about yourself.
Does this mean that I never lower my rates? Of course not. There are times when I do this. For instance, if I want to get my foot in the door with a large client I may offer a slight discount. And remember, if you are going to lower your rate for a good reason, you still need to make sure that you are working at a reasonable hourly rate.
