Freelance Writers: 3 Reasons You Want to Be Told Your Rates Are Too High

One of the most hotly debated topics among freelance writers is rates. New and experienced freelance writers struggle with this question. And, many are so afraid of being told that they're too expensive that they often go the other direction -- cutting their rates to the bone, literally working for minimum wage.

What folly is this? It's the folly of fear. Following are three reasons why - every once in a while -- you want clients to tell you that your rates are too high.

3 Reasons You Want Clients to Say, "Your rates are too high."

Striking a Balance: If every once in a while a client says that your freelance writing rates are too high, then it's a good sign that you've priced your services just about right.

The reason is, when clients never quibble about your rates, it's a sign that you could probably charge more. In essence, you've struck a pretty good balance. This is a good thing because it means that you're charging about what the market will bear.

Higher-End Clients: Clients run the gamut. Some are always looking for the cheapest rate, while others just want the work done - right - no matter the cost. You should always be striving for those in the second category. They tend to put a premium on the value of the work you do for them, not the rate.

These tend to be higher-end clients. As far as your freelance writing rates, when you price your services, price them with this tier of client in mind, not price-shopping clients. Why? Because as soon as clients who are prices hoppers find another freelance writer with lower rates, they will use them, not you.

Higher-end clients tend to be more loyal because, again, they look at the value you as a freelance writer bring to their business, not what a project is costing them.

Headache: Price-shopping clients tend to be more of a pain to deal with than higher-end clients. So when you're told by a client that your freelance writing rates are too high, look at it as if you dodged a bullet.

Don't offer to lower your rates. Simply thank them for thinking of you and move on. If you know what goes into a project and have priced your services fairly based on this, there will be clients who will pay you accordingly.