How can you handle rate changes with existing content writing clients?

Current rates can be assessed by reaching out to writers in the same niche. Clients shall invest in you only if they find confidence in your work. For this, you can start with the contemporary market rates. A stage will be reached when the client agrees to the price hike.

Freelancers ought to assess their value, communicate?concisely, give adequate notice, illustrate value, negotiate, offer alternatives, maintain quality, be professional, reassess frequently, and vocalize reverence in order in preserving positive relationships with clients. This entails evaluating the caliber of the work, haggling over prices, providing alternatives, and keeping lines of communication open—even in sensitive circumstances.

Today, I talk to one of my writing clients. They've been with me for a while, and I need to tell them about a change. I carefully explain that due to some reasons, I might need to adjust the prices for my writing services. I share why this change is necessary, hoping they understand and we can figure out a solution that works well for both of us.

Your portfolio, samples, and proven past experience shall be a testimony to your content proficiency and expertise. Your portfolio can bridge the communication gap between you and your client and also sets a benchmark of rate.

When you feel that your client finds your work satisfactory to his/her requirements, you can discuss the rate change. But make sure to support this with a genuine reason and justification.

The best way to do it in the inflated world is by setting up an increase rate after an agreed period of work with your client.

If you're charging more than usual, explain the reason behind it. If clients disagree with you, keep calm and try to resolve the situation in a respectable manner.

I've found that it is easiest to establish new raters early with new customers. If I'm considering a rate increase, I'll make that change immediately with new clients. Once I get positive feedback from those new clients with the increased rates, I'll start to pitch my older clients on increased rates. Being able to say that you've waited as long as you could possibly wait to increase rates builds trust. I've lost very few clients doing it this way.

Look for obvious transition points to increase rates. I've often increased rates at the first of a year. This lets me have a natural conversation starter for introducing the changes. "I've been planning my work for the next year against my business needs and growth targets and determined that my rates will need to increase for me to keep doing what I've been providing for you. As such, my previous rate of $X per hour will be increased to $Y per hour."