Lowballed my first editing gig and it actually worked out great

I charged $50 for a 5 page website copy edit last month because I was so nervous about scaring off my first client. Turns out they referred me to two other small business owners who paid me $150 each for similar work. I guess my lesson was to start somewhere and not stress about being perfect with pricing right away. Has anyone else accidentally underpriced their first gig and had it turn into more work?

4 comments

4 Comments

maryr434d ago

My very first editing job was $40 for a 6 page brochure, and I thought I was dreaming big. That client came back three times and sent me three more contacts who all paid double or triple what I started with. It's wild how sometimes starting low just opens doors you didn't even know were there (and then you get to raise your rates like a boss).

noahwood4d agoTop Commenter

$40 for a whole brochure? Man, I need to get into editing.

logan2714d ago

Hold on @noahwood, don't quit your day job yet. Starting with $40 for six pages sounds more like a foot in the door than a real rate, and those returning clients are the real win, not the low price itself. It's less about charging less and more about making someone feel like they got a deal so they keep you in the folder for the next job. Mary's story is good, but it's a fast track to burnout if you're not moving those numbers up quick.

the_lucas4d ago

The thing nobody's talking about is that $40 for six pages can actually train you to undervalue your own time. I've seen editors get stuck at those starter rates for years because they get comfortable with the "returning clients" and don't want to risk scaring them off by asking for more. Mary's story worked for her, but for every one of her stories there's ten people still charging $40 for brochures five years later and wondering why they can't pay rent. You gotta have a clear plan to double that after the first couple of jobs or you're just building a habit of cheap work.