Undercharging won’t get You more clients

Cheap prices don’t bring more clients.‍
They bring the wrong ones—the ones who demand more, pay late, and don’t respect your time.

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Your skills got better.
Your work improved.
More people wanted to work with you.

But your prices? Still the same.

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And here’s the truth—low rates don’t bring better opportunities. They bring clients who demand more, pay late, and never respect your time.

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If you want better clients and fair pay, you have to stop selling yourself short.

The Mistake I Made

When I started freelancing, I thought lower prices meant more opportunities.

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I believed:

• If I charge less, I’ll get more clients.
• Once I have more experience, then I’ll raise my rates.

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So, I kept my prices low. And at first, it worked—I got clients, I stayed busy.

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But here’s what actually happened: I worked long hours but barely made enough. Clients micromanaged me and pushed for extra work. The best clients? They went to someone else—because my pricing made me look inexperienced.

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Then one day, after months of work, a client asked for a discount—again. I wanted to say no, but I was afraid they’d leave. That’s when it hit me: undercharging wasn’t helping me—it was keeping me stuck.

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I realized that whether I worked on 10 projects or 1, the effort and energy were the same.

Why Most Freelancers Stay Stuck

Many freelancers undercharge because they believe:

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• If I charge less, I’ll get more clients.
• I’m not experienced enough to charge more.
• If I raise my rates, clients will leave.
• No one will pay higher prices for my work.

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But here’s the truth: The right clients aren’t looking for the cheapest option. They’re looking for the best fit.

So, how do you start charging what you’re worth?

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Step 1: Raise Your Prices—Even Just a Little

Raising your rates doesn’t mean doubling them overnight. It means small, steady increases.

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Here’s what I did: On my next project, I raised my rate by 10%. I didn’t overthink it—I just tested it. The client said yes without hesitation.

That’s when I realized: I was the one holding myself back—not my clients.

Try this: Raise your price by 10% on your next project. A small step, but a big shift.

Step 2: Stop Saying Yes to the Wrong Clients

Not every client is a good client. Low-paying clients are often the most demanding.

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I noticed:

• The ones who paid the least asked for the most.
• They took up my time but didn’t respect my work.
• And when I tried to set boundaries, they pushed back.

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So, I made a simple decision: I stopped saying yes to bad clients.

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Instead, I focused on:

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✅ Clients who cared about quality, not just price.

✅ Positioning myself as an expert, not an order-taker.

✅ Standing by my rates—no more discounts out of fear.

And better clients started showing up.

Step 3: Make It Easy for Clients to See Your Value

Higher prices only work if clients believe you’re worth it.

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That means:

• Your portfolio should show the problems you solve, not just your skills.
• Your testimonials should highlight real results, not just “great to work with!”
• The way you talk about your work should sound confident—not apologetic.

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If you present yourself as a professional, clients will treat you like one.

What You Can Do Today

• Look at your pricing. Would you pay what you charge?
• If not, raise your rate by 10%. Test it with your next project.
• Stop working with clients who drain you. The right ones will come.

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Small steps lead to big changes.

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