3 Comments

Ellen, thanks so much for being open and honest about this subject - it is so refreshing :)

It makes me want to reassess my pricing structure, which I have built up over years of trial and error, as I am sure we all have! I totally hear you when you say 'over-servicing clients and under-pricing' - so true for me too, but then the (maybe irrational?) fear or increasing prices for fear of losing current clients and potential ones. I was once told I was selected for a job because I was the cheapest, I felt a little deflated to hear that as I don't want to win work that way.

Interesting to see the average copywriters freelancer day rate in the UK, I wonder how this varies for graphic designers... I will research!

Thanks again,

Sam.

P.S... your dogs are gorgeous!

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Thanks so much for the shout out and well done for a brilliant first year in business 💪

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Getting the pricing right is so difficult. I'm a freelance PR, not a copywriter but that average day rate looks about right based on conversations with other freelance friends. In my early days as a freelancer, 15 years ago, I was a bit shy about pricing properly and chasing payment, but I sharp learnt to step up and value myself. I remember the first time I took a deep breath and quoted a healthy day rate to a prospective client. They never even blinked, and that gave me a huge boost in confidence. I think you get a feel for how clients will be to work with, and price accordingly. If you think you will end up over-servicing, your day rate needs to reflect that. And if a prospective client starts talking about Fiverr and other exploitative sources, I leave them to it, I don't want to work with people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Your work is beautiful and powerful, be proud of it and price accordingly.

Oh and my last little money tip is to make your income work a bit harder by transferring 20% of monthly invoice value into your tax account (I'm sure you do that anyway), and then invest the tax money in premium bonds until your tax bill is due. I may just have been lucky so far but I've made more than I would just sticking into an interest-bearing bank account. Every so often I'm getting a little £25 pick-me-up to spend on flowers for myself or treats for the greyhound gang, it's cheered me up no end in these tricky times.

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