Pricing worries almost every new freelancer. Charge too much and clients say no; charge too little and you work hard for nothing, and clients may doubt your quality. There is no single right price, but there is a sensible way to work one out. This lesson gives you the method; the numbers are yours to fill in.
Start with time and costs
Before you think about what clients will pay, know what a job costs you.
- Time. Estimate honestly how many hours the job takes, including talking to the client, revisions and sending files. Beginners usually underestimate, so add some extra.
- Direct costs. Data bundles, electricity or fuel for a generator, transport to meet the client, printing, paid fonts, stock images or software subscriptions.
- A share of your tools. Your phone or laptop wears out and will need replacing. A small part of each job should help pay for that.
Decide what an hour of your time should be worth to you, considering your skill level and your needs. Multiply by the hours, add the costs, and you have a floor: the lowest price at which the job is worth doing.
Then look at the market
Find out what similar work costs locally and online. Ask freelancers you trust, look at prices shops display, and read postings for your service. You are not trying to copy anyone. You are checking whether your floor is realistic and where your work fits: a beginner with a small portfolio usually prices lower than someone with years of results, and raises prices as proof grows.