Oh, you’ve certainly been through that conversation, Devon. I’m still slightly surprised they don’t understand the value of what you provide — slightly. I myself have had similar conversations, and my local area is quite urban. The worst offenders have been entrepreneurs with fairly new companies. I wouldn’t say all as some of my best clients were one-person shops, but I’m remembering a conversation with one guy who’d just shown off all his fancy office gadgets and translucent business cards and bragged about his success. Then he said it when I told him my hourly rate: “Ooo, you’re going to have to lower that.”

It’s been years since that encounter, but I still get giddy when I remember my knee-jerk response” “Ooo, you’re going to have to raise yours to afford me.”

I have far less trouble with remote clients. There were a couple that got culled when they hit me with the “you work from home, so you don’t need as much money as someone who works in an office.”

I have a new prospect list for the new year/decade, and a fresh approach with my new rate. I’m already starting with them at that rate. I have one client that I will keep at this rate, for a few months. I hope to have things wrapped with her and replace myself by the spring! 😉