How much should you charge as a freelancer. What’s the difference between hourly, day and project rate as a freelancer?
Setting your freelance rates can be a complex decision with numerous factors to consider. As a freelancer, determining how much to charge involves balancing your skills, experience, market demand, and financial goals. Here’s a brief guide to help you navigate this crucial aspect of freelancing.
Firstly, analyze your expertise and experience. If you’re a seasoned professional with specialized skills, you can command higher rates than someone just starting. Researching industry standards is essential; this gives you a benchmark and ensures your rates are competitive without undervaluing your work. Platforms like eFreelance are excellent for this purpose, offering insights into what peers in your field are charging and facilitating price comparisons.
Another crucial aspect is to calculate your expenses meticulously. Consider your overhead costs, such as software, hardware, insurance, and office supplies, then incorporate these into your rates. Don’t forget to factor in tax liabilities and savings. It’s also wise to set an annual income goal and break it down into hourly, daily, or project-based rates to ensure you meet your financial needs comfortably.
Additionally, the complexity and timeframe of the project should influence your pricing. Urgent or highly complex tasks typically justify higher rates. Flexibility is also key; sometimes, adjusting your rates based on a client’s budget can lead to long-term partnerships.
In essence, fair pricing reflects your value and sustains your business. Leveraging platforms like eFreelance can provide guidance and a marketplace to effectively position your services.
31 Comments
@indabena
Thanks.
Reply@wotntarnation3012
These rates are waaaay too low imo. Jr designers should be at least 300, if not 350. $200/day will give you terrible clients and cheap work. Nowadays, most people with experience are saying "do not start too low" so rates have gone up accordingly
Reply@seananthonyjr.1595
Very informative. Great content! Good price points and geographical factors in economic awareness.
Reply@journalsfromdavid
5k for a logo…..wow
Reply@IamDavidGauthier
This was helpful, thanks! It would be cool to get examples for different freelance services e.g. graphic, video, writer…
Reply@imrankhansaami
Project consistency
Reply@RichMarrett
Thank you Matt great information and very useful to have the $ amounts there as well. Like you have mentioned using a project rate with defined revisions has really helped me to grow my design business!
Reply@Lukavichiano
Hey awesome Futur community, do you think these daily rates are applicable/transferable for freelance real-estate photographers in NYC? Some context: I'm currently scaling my real estate marketing asset company ( we provide videography, floor plans, photography, 3D virtual tours) and have two new freelance photographers. Both are junior, I've trained them from the ground up, they have their own gear, they don't need to edit- they only shoot, sketch and capture the RAW photos and footage for us…we edit everything. I appreciate any thoughts, input and questions. I want to make it a win win, all 'round.
Reply@youreadisgracepod
How would the day rates you listed (200, 400, 600) apply to project rates?
Reply@blizzyvicious2839
5,000 a logo wtf kinda logos you making bro 🤣🤣
Reply@patriciasarkkinen5074
The Futur is saving my butt once again :')
Reply@rootmotionstudio9262
Man I have problems with pricing although I provide good quality! how can I charge more?
Reply@yfoog
Love the pie chart
Reply@emandnat3489
Super handy, thank you for this!
Reply@MeelisMatt
i asked 650 euros for new years card printable + web one with animation. was that too high price? they declined me for someone else.
Reply@chachan4142
I have a question. What about people who live in SE Asia? How do we find a market with enough demand for our talents that we can command what we are worth? Or the only option is to move to a western country like the USA, the UK, or an EU country?
Reply@KaYungCalebLai
I think the rate should be a much larger % in the pie, unless your client has a shit ton of cash like Apple.
Reply@FreelancewithSirarpi
I prefer working on an hourly basis because as a Digital Marketing Specialist, sometimes I have to make lots of research. And as you said, the demand also matters. I make sure to get jobs with skills not many marketers experience in. This way, I get paid higher.
Reply@Jowyerv
I'm from Malaysia, but just because of this people always asking for a very low price from me, and compare my price with India or Indonesia freelancer, but they don't know our currency and expenses are different… and this is why I'm very confuse with pricing…
Reply@k.m.imranhussein6873
Very helpful, thanks!
Reply@MsDJLW
5,,000 for a logo!! I need to raise my prices. lol
Reply@chosen1one67
I like the project rate method
Reply@zohaibmalik819
Very nice tips. Rally made me think about these.
Reply@famousafterdeath
I kept struggling with this . Thank you extremely
Reply@mackenlyjones
Everyone needs to read win without pitching manifesto
Reply@bluebellink2221
I am curious if you have advice around the "hygiene' aspect of things. I'm a clean person in terms of personal hygiene but I certainly wouldn't describe myself as organized, I'm naturally chaotic. It wasn't really a problem until this year when all of a sudden multiple people are wanting me to work on multiple projects at once. Do you have videos based on this piece of the pie that I have just missed? Just around creating organisation in your workspace and workflow? Also, really helpful to see not just the rates but what you expect from people at different pay rates so thanks for that.
Reply@user-qb3jg8ep9t
About tree fiddy
Reply@Issey.Trufffle
I find these rates quite low for North America. Maybe it’s because I’m in the motion design industry.
ReplyFor a 8-9 hour day, I’ve seen more:
Junior $350
Mid $500
Expert $800+
@Animefreak242
Got tied up and I missed the live 😭 Is it available?
Reply@leonardjohnson7074
Good job there bro…. I would say a ball park number for sure… Fantastic video matt… Thanks
Reply@5najduch
Huge value in this video! I appreciate it as a freelance videographer. My motto is to deliver an agency like experience in terms of deadlines and communications, even though I am only one person.
Reply