Freelance Pricing Without Fear

Contents

1. Before you begin3
2. 1Rate calculator walkthrough4
3. 2Hourly vs. project vs. value pricing19
4. 3Word-for-word scripts for pushback34
5. 4Proposal and invoice templates49

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Before you begin

Under-charging rarely feels like a decision. It feels like being nice. This guide turns your rate into a number you can defend.

You will work out your hourly floor, compare three pricing models and learn the exact words for presenting a price.

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Chapter 1

Your hourly floor

Start with the income you need in a year. Add taxes, tools, holidays and the unpaid hours spent on admin and finding clients.

Divide by the hours you can truly bill, usually 20 to 25 a week, not 40. That number is your floor. You never go below it.

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Your turn

Rate calculator

• Yearly income you need
• Taxes, tools and software
• Weeks off (holidays, sick days)
• Billable hours per week (be honest)

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Chapter 2

Hourly vs. project vs. value pricing

Once the first step is in place, the next one builds on it. Charge what you are worth and keep the client.

Each chapter ends with a short exercise, so you finish the page with something done, not just something read.

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