Why not Google the prices?

Googleing prices for freelancers is misleading at best. Find out why not to do that in the very beginning.?

When I discovered various freelance platforms 6 years ago, all I could hear was: Earning money on the side. Bling Bling, right? - WRONG.?

I didn’t do thorough research on the industry, nor did I try to connect with someone in the same area of expertise.?

One day, a prospect contacts me for my writing services in the Croatian language and asks for the price of 9 articles with provided keywords. My eyes turned into dollar signs.?

9 articles and all of them on a specific topic - mortgages and loans.?

Writing about mortgages requires a certain vocabulary and it cannot be compared to your usual Blog requests, where clients want content in general, but important information.?

What I did next was a big NO NO and I realized that only after delivering articles.?

I googled the prices for freelancers that write official and/or expert texts.?

But, if I had done the research, I would have found out that there are lots of writers struggling to place themselves high on the list of demands. Every Single Day.?

I was a freelancer for a short while and believed I was going to get rich soon - like a proper dreamer I am.?

The point isn't in getting rich soon.?

The point is in establishing yourself as the go-to person for your specific services. That is the source of freelancers' wealth!

Let’s find out the ways you can do that!?

How to determine fair prices as a freelancer?

Don’t get me wrong. You’re not supposed to offer your services for free. Far from it.?

But, do take your experience into consideration.?

Social media is full of teenagers offering digital marketing services for free, so they could practice. Taking into account what I have seen online, they are a vigorous bunch, not to be taken for granted.?

After you do the research and investigate all channels, you can establish fair prices for your work.?

Prices should be based on several factors, other than experience, and those are:

• time
• value
• project

Time-based means - How much time you’ll need to complete the task.?

Value-based emphasizes the value you bring to the task.

Project-based determines if it’s a one-time deal or an ongoing project.?

Ongoing projects are the ones where you can be more lenient with the prices.?

Having regular streams of income is better than cold-calling!?

Following these guidelines, you will be able to establish prices and get a grasp of the industry as a whole.?

But, there is another way, a better way to do it.?

A way that will pour in some extra confidence when raising your prices.?

And the only right way of turning yourself into the go-to person for your specific services!?

The best way of finalizing your price list?

In my humble opinion built on my vast freelancing experience, the best method to figure out the prices is to connect with like-minded people. And on more platforms than one.?

This is also the most time-consuming method of all, and that is why most people bail before they get to be noticed.?

You need to understand that self-branding is of utmost importance for all freelancers!

Sure, it takes time.?

Of course, you might stumble upon the bad examples out there (there are bad marketers and copywriters out there…don’t let them fool ya).?

I am sure if we took our time we’d find many other obstacles to this method.?

However, networking and connecting with other freelancers, writers, entrepreneurs, and other creatives -? is what makes you a part of this world instantly.?

By reaching out and writing your own content on a daily basis, you are clearing out a space for your own unique areas of expertise without paying for it.?

Showing up each day:

• eliminates paying for ads
• proves consistency
• makes you better at what you do
• boosts your creativity
• makes you present (which means that possible prospects don’t get the luxury of forgetting about you!) - BONUS.?

Just imagine what can be achieved simply by approaching your colleagues and asking them about their pricing method.?

Added bonus to this method is showing interest in others, and filling your circle with trustworthy individuals.?

People like to talk about themselves and their climb to success.?

Show genuine interest in other people’s opinions, experiment with approaches, post different styles of copy, and see what makes you thrive.?

Post regularly and add your value, in a unique way - your efforts will not go unnoticed!?

That is how you establish yourself as the go-to person for your specific services.

And finalize the price list which you will send out confidently! Trust me!

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