Money
How to quote your freelance rate with confidence
You’re talking to Rosa, a bakery owner. A local bakery owner loves your work and wants a new logo plus a month of social posts. She just asked for your best price. The goal: say your rate with confidence, say what it includes, and trade scope instead of dropping the price.
Your first line
Rosa starts with “I love your stuff. So what’s your best price for a logo and some posts?”
“For a logo and 12 Instagram posts, it’s $900. That includes two rounds of changes, and you’d have the logo in two weeks.”
Number first: one clear price and exactly what it covers. Then stop talking and let her react.
What Rosa might say, and what to say back
Rosa: “Hmm, that’s more than I was thinking.”
You: “Totally fair. What budget did you have in mind?”
Rosa: “My cousin said he’d do it for way less.”
You: “He might be a good option. For me, it’s $900 for the logo, 12 posts and two rounds of changes.”
Rosa: “Could you do the whole thing for $500?”
You: “Not the whole package. For $500, I can do the logo and three posts. Or $900 for everything, half now and half on delivery.”
Two things that trip people up
- Answering “best price” with “whatever works for you.”Say one number and what it includes, then stop.
- Dropping your price the second she hesitates.Keep the rate and change the package: fewer posts, or split payments.
Now say it out loud
Reading the words isn’t the same as saying them. Practice this one with Rosa pushing back like the real person would. Then your coach, Max, fixes your exact words. The move to focus on: Number first.
Practice this one free3 free reps a day. No sign-up. Out loud or typed.