Watch the full vide of the talk at Modern Tribe: http://tri.be/what-should-i-charge/ The most common question I get when speaking to new, and even experienced, freelancers is "What should I charge?" How should I set my rate: http://tri.be/are-you-working-for-free/ Hourly or Fixed: http://tri.be/charging-hourly-vs-fixed-price/ How much will I make this year: http://tri.be/freelancers-guide-to-sales-measuring-your-sales-pipeline/ I have a formula I use to raise or lower my rate, as well as some key strategies you can use to set up a good game plan. The key is to be intentional and strategic. This talk was given at International Freelancers Day 2011: http://www.internationalfreelancersday.com/

1. WHAT SHOULD I CHARGE?
Strategies for Longevity and Happiness in a Freelance Career

2. Hi, I’m Shane & I run a
100% FREELANCE
driven agency.

3. A FEW OF OUR FRIENDS (some people call them clients)
http://tri.be

4. Define Your Rate by
I N D U S T R Y
LIFESTYLE
SALES

5. I Started
At $25 Per Hour
Content Management
° Banner Design
° Audio Processing

6. EXPERIENCE
I Had Self-Taught Skills But No Experience

7. LOCATION
Customers in Silicon Valley Expected a Higher Rate

8. NICHE
If You Had Money, I Brought the Hustle

9. I Charged
What The Industry Told Me To
When you have no idea how to price your work,
the clients you find will gladly decide for you.

10. Until The Day My Wife Wanted a House
When a job or industry defines your income, it defines your lifestyle.

11. How about using your ideal
lifestyle to set your rate?

12. According to the Bank
To Buy a House, I Needed $4,000 After Tax Money

13. +25%
for Taxes
$5,333 Always remember to budget for TAXES
when calculating the income you need.

14. WITH BUSINESS EXPENSES: $6,000
1. Rents & Utilities
2. Equipment
3. Advertising / Marketing
4. Professional Services

15. HOW MUCH TIME
DO YOU ACTUALLY BILL?
I legitimately billed an average of 30 hours per week
and needed to gross 6k per month.
$6,000 / 130 hours = $46 / hour.
Hint, the average weeks per month is 4.33

16. MY IDEAL LIFESTYLE Required I Charge $46/hr!

17. NOT 1 CLIENT OBJECTED
I was dreading a huge confrontation, but all I got was
love.

18. Time passed and my
ability to sell and my
reputation grew!

19. 50% of legitimate gigs I had
TO DECLINE
People were competing for my availability!

20. SO I RAISED MY RATES AGAIN

21. Until I Had to Do Some Sales
A rate is simply a reflection of the
demand for your services. When your
product is YOU, sales defines your
rate.

22. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
Sell until you are turning down gigs.
Raise your rates until you need to sell.

23. FROM $25 to $250 in 10Yrs

24. CONCLUSION: Define Your Rate by
SALES
LIFESTYLEY
I N D U S T R

25. @justlikeair shanepearlman.com