Putting up your rates
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- Ranger
A question for the freelancers out there...
How do you go about putting up your rates? Do you let clients know with a 30 day notice or something like that? Never done it before but January 1st seems like a natural date to do it.
And is anyone holding back putting their rates up this year due to the economy?
- babaganush0
I've been trying for ages. Some people buy it some don't - It really depends upon how strict you are about getting it. Whichever way you generally still get 'but we can only afford the old rate'.
If you have a decent client base I'd keep it informal and personal...you'll probably get the stock response of
'Ooh you're brave upping your rates in a recession'. Good luck though - if you are good just stick to your guns and do it. :)
- r3mote0
Thinking / wondering exactly the same... I'm about to increase my rates for the 1st time in 3 years - was going to use the inflation rate over the last 3 years as a basis on the increase. I would allow a 2 month notice period, as it may have a knock on effect to projects they're quoting for...
- * oooh, takes notes... "due...to... inflation.... over...3 years...and...furthe...Horp
- doesnotexist0
yeah I gave a 2 month warning period, and wrote a nice email to all my current clients.
- ETM0
I raised my rates back in September. I typically do it then as I find so many companies decide the new year is the time to increase and I don't wish to pile on at the same time. I sent a letter in July regarding it as notice. I typically don't explain why they are increasing, I simply sent a new rate card and indicate when it goes into effect. Never had an issue.
But I don't know if this is the best time to be raising rates. Especially when people may be looking to cut costs.
- zenmasterfoo0
I avoid the holidays. Cutbacks and downsizing don't sync up well with a rate boost.
- Spanna0
what about only doing it with new clients?
- I've done it short term. If there is confusion, I claim grandfather clause or contract obligations.ETM
- sure, my rate depends on the client and type of work as well.doesnotexist
- zenmasterfoo0
do it with all, but give the current ones a heads up. the 30-60 day notice is a good idea.
- Silnt0
keep to the old rates for the existing clients. apply the new rate to the new clients. and let the existing clients know they did.
this way, your clients will stick with you throughout.
- boobs0
Raising your rates is a great feeling!
- lvl_130
"Raising the roof is a great feeling!"
Hear! Hear!
- Dancer0
As it happens I have just bought a new MBP with 2 Gig'O'Ram.
To have 4 would cost £100 extra from apple which is actually a better price than Crucial... unless I am mistaken.
The reason being is that the MBP only has 2 slots and with the 2 GB version they fill both slots (1 gig each). If you upgrade to 4 GB you have to buy 2x2GB sticks which at Crucial is around £105. So you CAN NOT utilise the ram you already have
- hallelujah0
I don't state my rates
- and i adjust according to circumstance/valuehallelujah
- Smart man.gabadilla