Had a client in Denver argue my $150 hourly rate was 'unfair'

I was on a call last month with a guy who runs a small bakery. He said my rate was too high because he could get someone on Upwork for $30 an hour. I told him I don't bid against random people, I charge for my experience. But then he listed 3 specific things he needed that a cheap freelancer couldn't do. So which side wins: charging what you're worth or pricing to win the job? Has anyone else had a client try to shame them over rates then need premium work?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliviabutler1d ago

Did you ever lowball yourself early on before you figured it out?

angelamurphy1d ago

Started charging WAY too little for my photography in the beginning. I was charging $50 for a full hour session with editing and it took me way too long to realize I was practically giving it away. The thing that finally clicked for me was when a client asked if I was running a special and that made me feel so Cheap I had to raise my rates. Once I bumped it to $150 I Actually got more serious clients who valued my work. Don't be afraid to charge what you're worth because people will respect you more for it.

ben_fisher1d ago

Angela's right that charging more brings better clients, but I gotta say it's not always that simple. When you're starting out in any trade, you don't know what the market will bear and you're just happy someone's willing to pay you at all. I lowballed bids on plumbing jobs for years before I figured out my actual costs, and even then I had to slowly creep the price up instead of making one big jump to $150. Some people can't afford to lose those first clients by doubling their rate overnight, you know?