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Heard a client call their freelancer 'the cheap option' and it stung
I was at a coffee shop in Portland working, and the guy at the next table was on a loud call. He said, 'Yeah, we'll just use that freelancer again, she's the cheap option for this draft.' I've been that 'cheap option' before. It hit me that competing on price alone just puts you in that box forever. I'm raising my rates next week, even if it means less work at first. Has anyone else made that jump and how did you find better clients?
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evant487mo ago
Ever get a client who asks for endless tiny changes? That's a price shopper. Raised my rates last year and started asking "what's your goal for this project" in first talks. Filters out the bargain hunters fast. Better clients care about the result, not just the cost.
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nancy3516mo ago
Totally get it. Had a client nitpick font sizes for weeks. Charged by the hour but it was exhausting. Started asking for project goals up front like you said. Night and day difference. Now my clients talk about their business, not just tweaking margins.
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matthew3397mo ago
Yeah, the "cheap option" thing... a friend who does graphic design had a client say something similar in an email, like "we'll go with your basic package to keep costs down." She realized they only saw her as a budget fix. She doubled her rate for new clients, lost that one, but then got a referral from another designer for a client who actually valued her ideas. It was scary but she said it changed everything.
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