Here's how I decline low rates
+ why a script is your secret weapon to sticking with the new rates you set
I decided to raise my rates for the new year. How do I tell my current clients that I’ve raised my rates (and get over the fear that they’ll dump me)? I’ve been avoiding a client since last week and need to get over myself but it seriously gives me imposter syndrome.
Communicating about rates is such THE WORST that I’ve made scripts for basically every scenario I’ve had to deal with, so I can copy/paste the relevant text and edit as needed.
Having a script in hand prevents me from:
Overthinking what to say and wasting time
Agreeing to a project for a lower rate than I want to accept out of FOMO, imposter syndrome, a previous working relationship with a client, or any other factor
Saying yes when I knew at the time I should have said no
Saying nothing and frustrating the client
In an ideal world, maybe you’d let your client know you planned to raise rates so they could pre-pay for content at the old rates–they’d save money and you’d get extra work.
But that ship sailed, so here’s what I’d say instead:
Thanks for thinking of me for this. Since we last worked together, I've raised my rates to $x.xx per word, hour, etc. If that fits within your budget, I'm happy to work on this. Otherwise, I’m going to have to pass.
If your new rate doesn’t fit the client’s budget, you can either do the work at their quoted rate or negotiate on other terms. Maybe you can do less of the work: write a shorter blog post, come up with social media posts but not source the images for them, etc.
Here’s where you get to be flexible and creative. Weigh how far off you are in rates (are they meeting you partway?), how long the work will take you, and how much you actually like doing it.
Would you do the work because you are curious about the topic and find it a win-win (which is how I feel when I’m paid to write on personal finance topics and build my financial savviness), or are you only writing about the topic because someone’s paying you, in which case it’s likely best that the relationship end and now you’ve got your out?
If they push back, maintain your commitment to your new rates and restate your desire to work with them again. My script for that is as follows:
I understand that my rates are premium. Perhaps there'll be a chance we can work together in the future.
Get your q’s answered
I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks with tips on the business of writing but in the meantime, if you’ve got a question like this and want my take, email lindsey.danis[at]gmail.com.
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