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Three common misconceptions about freelancing.
> You should never offer your work for free.
> Don't use Upwork or Fiverr.
> Use value-based pricing, not hourly or fixed pricing.
Let me explain why these statements are wrong
> You should never offer your work for free.
> Don't use Upwork or Fiverr.
> Use value-based pricing, not hourly or fixed pricing.
Let me explain why these statements are wrong
You should never offer your work for free.This will signal your "worth" and your "value".
It's also a perfect way to drive your market prices to the bottom, taking everyone down with you.
These are arguments that you often hear.
Well, if no one is going to hire you, you are already worth nothing. Zero. Per definition. No money is coming your way.
Offering your work for free is a terrific way to build up initial customer relationships and reputation!
Ask for a review in return instead of compensation.
Offering your work for free is a terrific way to build up initial customer relationships and reputation!
Ask for a review in return instead of compensation.
Don't let the equality worriers tell you that you are driving down your market. Of course, you're not.
Competition is healthy, and you want to enter the market!
"Mind your own business", and let everyone else care about how they do theirs.
Competition is healthy, and you want to enter the market!
"Mind your own business", and let everyone else care about how they do theirs.
Don't use Upwork or Fiverr.People coming to these sites to find work are interested in paying as little as possible.
You also compete with developing markets that can offer their work for really low prices.
These are arguments that you often hear.
Well, Upwork or Fiverr are representing a market with supply and demand.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the services themselves.
What they offer, is a place where you can reach a TREMENDOUS amount of potential clients.
It is a GREAT opportunity to getting started.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the services themselves.
What they offer, is a place where you can reach a TREMENDOUS amount of potential clients.
It is a GREAT opportunity to getting started.
There are plenty of people on Upwork and Fiverr that take a very decent pay for their work, and they have plenty of clients and great reputation.
There will always be someone ready to underbid you.
On Upwork, on Fiverr, and in the real world.
Don't be afraid of competition!
There will always be someone ready to underbid you.
On Upwork, on Fiverr, and in the real world.
Don't be afraid of competition!
Get good, and build up a strong reputation yourself, and you can leverage these services to do a seriously profitable business!
They do take a fairly high service fee, so if anything, that's something worth considering.
They do take a fairly high service fee, so if anything, that's something worth considering.
Use value-based pricing, not hourly or fixed pricing.This is properly the most controversial myth out there since SO many people seem to believe in it.
Do yourself a favor: Unless you're on some political agenda or have specific ideologies - don't listen to this advice.
You may get away with this proposal when taking on very small projects with clients that are totally new in the market.
But please - telling yourself and your client that you are able to estimate the value that your service will provide is at best extremely arrogant.
But please - telling yourself and your client that you are able to estimate the value that your service will provide is at best extremely arrogant.
If you participate in larger teams in big organizations, offering your service as a consultant, it will be IMPOSSIBLE to estimate the exact value that YOUR work will provide.
Big companies will call bullshit, and you'll be laughed in the face if you propose this.
Big companies will call bullshit, and you'll be laughed in the face if you propose this.
A piece of bread may provide significantly more value to the starving homeless guy, than to the hungry career guy on the way to work.
That doesn't mean that you should charge the homeless guy more. This idea is off.
That doesn't mean that you should charge the homeless guy more. This idea is off.
This doesn't mean that you cannot offer different prices.
Of course you can. But they shouldn't be "based on value". That's where it becomes grifty.
No leading consulting agancies are doing this.
Neither should you.
Of course you can. But they shouldn't be "based on value". That's where it becomes grifty.
No leading consulting agancies are doing this.
Neither should you.
Settle on a price range of your services.
Either a fixed price by projects of different sizes or an hourly price.
Be transparent about this. Make your clients feel reassured that this is the general price you offer.
This will strengthen your reputation to a way higher degree!
Either a fixed price by projects of different sizes or an hourly price.
Be transparent about this. Make your clients feel reassured that this is the general price you offer.
This will strengthen your reputation to a way higher degree!
