Advice about going Freelance

Freelance_Lucy

Hello!
I have years of experience in advertising and digital marketing and a degree in Advertising so I know I can do the work (Running Advertising on social media, organic social media growth, blogs and graphics) however I'm still brand new to the Freelance space. So, should I set prices at what I know it's worth and have 1 week free to show the work, or start low to build a client base? What would give you faith?
Some are also willing to pay more than others which feels a bit wrong if I'm doing the same amount of work, just want to honest with pricing and service.
Also will start a new thread somewhere else with free marketing advice for anyone where people can join in and help eachother will post the link below once that's up

00ec25

either you understand how to market yourself or you shouldn't think about going freelance.

why should I use you:
- price?
- reputation? (you're a start up!)
- specialised knowledge/experience?
- recommendation from others?

Freelance_Lucy

I'm already freelance and have been marketing myself and speaking to people. Although technically I'm a start-up I do have experience and specialized knowledge.
However not as my own so this is more of a market research question. Some new freelancers set prices but have a free offer to build reviews and some just start very cheap to build clients, I think that can possibly damage the reputation especially when those prices go up.

00ec25

Freelance_Lucy wrote: »

I'm already freelance and have been marketing myself and speaking to people. Although technically I'm a start-up I do have experience and specialized knowledge.
However not as my own so this is more of a market research question. Some new freelancers set prices but have a free offer to build reviews and some just start very cheap to build clients, I think that can possibly damage the reputation especially when those prices go up.

all you have done is repeat the question which no one on here can answer for you

you need to CHOOSE for yourself. That decision is part and parcel of the risk and reward matrix of being self employed.

Savvy_Sue

Freelance_Lucy wrote: »

Also will start a new thread somewhere else with free marketing advice for anyone where people can join in and help eachother will post the link below once that's up

Just be aware that if it looks as if you are touting for business on it, it will be reported as against Forum Rules

Freelance_Lucy

Guys, not touting for business. Obviously will set prices and deals myself.

The question is really for small business owners who have thoughts on what would be important to them and if low prices would make them not trust a service and if a small amount for free would fee better to you.

Mistral001

Always start as you mean to continue. It is difficult to put up your prices, so start with as high a price you can get, even if it means very few clients at first. Clients will want to tap into your experience and expertise and will be willing to pay for that.

With freelancers it is sometimes difficult to stay current as you will not have any colleagues to discuss new techniques and trends with. So you need to budget for spending the time and money on staying up to date.

Pennywise

Mistral001 wrote: »

Always start as you mean to continue. It is difficult to put up your prices, so start with as high a price you can get, even if it means very few clients at first. Clients will want to tap into your experience and expertise and will be willing to pay for that.

With freelancers it is sometimes difficult to stay current as you will not have any colleagues to discuss new techniques and trends with. So you need to budget for spending the time and money on staying up to date.

Have to agree with all this. If you don't value yourself, then no-one else will. Decent quality clients don't shy away from paying the right price for services. You really don't want to be a bottom feeder just attracting the freebie/cheapie clients who expect the World on a plate but won't pay for it.

Mistral001

I think it is worthwhile to point out that many people look at freelancing through rose-tinted glasses when they are employees.

Many employees think of their salary and divide by 12 months or 52 weeks and how much they get every month or week into their bank account and adjust for holidays and income tax and think that they are working for peanuts in their present job.

In fact you probably need to multiple your take home pay per hour by about a factor of at least two and in many sectors maybe 3, 4 or 5 to come up with an hourly rate that you should charge your clients just to get you a comparable sustainable income to your present income.