Peter, your book actually helped me learn to say my rates with confidence. I did just as you've suggested — I practiced. It works.

Funny too how we all still question ourselves. You're right — the voices have quieted down a bit. Still there, but at least they're not screaming any longer. 🙂

Remember, a new client doesn't know anything about you other than what they read on your site, so you can "be" anyone you want with them. As such, why not BE confident, even if it's an act at first? Which, it will likely be initially, and that's OK…

If you need to practice delivering a rate/quote, etc. to a client in front of a mirror until it sounds natural, then do it. And in my experience, clients will typically follow your lead, especially if they haven't used a writer before (but even if they have).

Also, in my experience, your rates will either be a fit for a particular client, or they won't. And if they aren't (i.e., too high), then expressing doubts to them publicly, and offering to trim your rates won't accomplish anything except have you lose credibility in their eyes.

Assuming you have the skills, and you've done your homework, and know your rates are in line with what writers at your experience level charge for those kinds of work, then state them with confidence. Everybody isn't a prospect for you, and you only have to find a small number who are, to make a good living.

AND, as was noted in the article, how true that even experienced folks question themselves! You'd be amazed at my doubting voices – they're still there – just not quite as loud as they once were…

PB

You get the idea. 🙂

And great topic!

I'm always surprised by how many newer freelancers don't understand the "fake it 'til you make it concept." They think it means faking samples, outright lying about experience, or trying to make themselves look like a larger company instead of a freelancer. But it's not. It's all about confidence!

And fortunately we don't have to fake it for long. That first "yes" is the big one. And everything goes up from there. 🙂

Thanks for such great advice! I've been freelancing for a couple years now, and I'm still unsure of the strength of my writing and experience.

Your post helped me realize I'm not going to move forward until I can silence (at least temporarily) the critical voices and doubt in my mind, and instead portray confidence- even if I'm not all that confident at first!

Your insights and tips were exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing them!

Tracy S.

Lori — I had to go back and delete all the "I think" phrases from this post 😉 But I have said "sorry, I can't do it for that rate" and I probably would do it again. It isn't that I'm not confident saying no, but the "sorry" makes it a little softer to hear on the other end. For me, just the act of saying "no" establishes the confidence, and making it easier to accept on the other end helps the other person realize that I'm not trying to be hard to work with. This, of course, is my opinion (I would say "I think" since it's my opinion but I can't do that now! haha!) I haven't asked the receiver to share how they feel about that type of response, so I only know how *I* would feel on the receiving end of "sorry" vs. not saying sorry. I would more likely think the person is rude without the "sorry" but I wouldn't think any less of their confidence.

I think it's fine to say "sorry" when it helps, but not as an intro or during a negotiation. Maybe the only time in a negotiation is something like "I'm sorry we couldn't find mutually beneficial terms."

But to say "Sorry, I just can't do that" is like saying "I'm not strong enough in my convictions to say 'no thank you.'"