Figuring out and sticking to a rate is one of the hardest parts at the beginning of a freelance journey (and, usually for even years afterwards).
On one hand, you see people in your industry comfortably charging $1,000 to even *think* about performing a service. On the other hand, you check out Upwork and see people charging $0.0000000000001 to do a day of work.
For most businesses and freelancers, the end of the year is the perfect time to raise your rates, but should you with *gestures broadly* all this going on?
Yes.
The first rule of freelancing is that YOU decide your rates, not your clients. If you wait until a client gives you a raise, you’ll be waiting like little Oliver Twist with your bowl in the air, “Please sir, I want some more…” until you die.
At the same time, if you tell them about a hike, they might go out and hire someone else (like have you *seen* an uproar when Starbucks raises a price even ten cents?).
Thankfully, there’s a perfect sweet spot of both where you can raise your rates in the new year and also make sure you’re not losing some clients.
I learned this trick years ago from Ashley Ambirge and have used it every year since. When it’s time to send your December email about your new rates (which you should be doing), you need to offer them a chance to buy a bundle of work at your current rate, which can be applied at any time in the next year, as long as they buy it before the 31st.
That’s the secret to raising your rates without stepping on anyone’s toes.
What if they’re still mad?? Well, maybe it’s time to let that relationship go. Not to get all woo-woo, but do you want someone in your life who doesn’t respect your worth?
I’ve been taking the last month to think deeply about my business, what I want the next year to look like, and where I want to take things from here. For years, I’ve just been a copywriter who has been happy with my work and I never expected to really have a YouTube channel that would grow and bring in so many new people.
So, thank you for being here and consuming my content, however you found me.
My goal in 2021 is to switch my days to spending half of it creating content (which is a huge, scary shift in my brain) instead of mostly on client work. That means, you’ll probably be hearing more from me (which is either great or a nightmare), but that’s the current plan.
So far, here is what I’ve come up with:
1. I’m opening a Facebook group and a Discord group where people can meet each other, talk, get some copy reviewed, etc. I probably get sent about 10+ pages a day from people I don’t know to review their copy and I simply cannot keep up with the sheer amount.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/303841534255512
Discord: https://discord.gg/DYR5PCg8
My only rule is please be nice. I am very quick with the hammer ban on every platform I am on because there’s just no need to be a schmuck, especially this year. However, I want to be more accessible to answer questions this year and having streamlined places to do it should help.
2. For current clients, if you’re looking to get some work next year, just hit “reply” to this email so we can chat about some options.
3. For people currently interested in my mentorship/coaching program, it’s now open for 2021! You can get $100 off if you fully sign up before the end of the year. Check it out: here.
Keep in mind, there are a few more requirements going forward, such as weekly calls instead of it being mostly through email. It keeps people on track and accountable.
4. Mentioning that program, I’ve had a lot of conversations with people this year and I *know* it’s an expensive option for a lot of people (especially when you include things like conversion rates). So, in that spirit, I’m going to be teaching my first copy class in either Jan or Feb which will be all about the types of web copy and how to write them. It will be a fraction of the cost of my whole month program, just without the one-on-one work. Details to come! (Also, there will be scholarships for a handful of students to join.)
5. On YouTube in January, I’ll be doing a mini series on how to find and create a side hustle (something most of us could use this upcoming year), that doesn’t necessarily have to be copywriting. I’ll send them over as soon as it’s live.
6. Overthinkers, unite! Out of the hundreds of Power Hour calls, YouTube comments, and mentoring sessions I’ve done over the past two years, the number one thing that gets in the way for most people is overthinking. I’m working hard to create an overthinkers workshop - something you can follow in a weekend that will get you out of research mode and into creation mode. More details to come!
That was a lot of information, but like I said I’ve been a crazy person with my six-foot-tall whiteboard trying to map out different ways I could bring something new to the table this upcoming year.