Feeling pretty low about losing work because the client didn't agree to the price (which was far below the going rate tbh) I presented...
How can I bounce back from this? All the advice is pretty hardlined about not pricing yourself out and knowing your worth, but it is pretty hard to do when you are still met with rudeness or incredulity.
Replies6
- I know it is hard to deal with but just think that you had a luck escape. You wouldn't want to be underpaid for a job working for a rude person.
- Hey Evangeline,Sorry, these situations are really depleting and not fun! The hard truth is, clients/employers have budgets and they will make them stretch as far as they can. I think it comes down to you as an individual deciding your principles with accepting work. If you think they're taking the p*** then they probably aren't good people to work with (which sounds like it was the case here). However if you see benefit beyond the money, then you might make a different call in other situations. Have to make a decision on what sits right with you for the work and the time you'll be investing.Hoping better opportunities come your way very soon!Alexandra
- Agree on the value points here.When people try and negotiate my price down, I break things down for them.Here’s what it entails. Here’s the value it creates for you. Here’s how it meets your needs. Here’s how my other clients feel.If they then really believe that they can get that from someone or somewhere else ‘on the cheap’ then I let them. They’re not the kind of people I want to work with anyway.People who recognise their value in their business will always recognise the value having a brilliant partnership will bring long term.If it feels like everything is transactional with clients then you’re in a race to the bottom.When pitching or taking on work, ask them questions too. What value can they bring to you (ie testimonies, referals), what are their longest partnerships, what makes them work, how valued do they feel in the business?Seeking out information from the client is often unusual for them but gives you the position of initiating a conversation about value vs becoming a supplier they can drive down.My favourite clients are those with whom I have an hour’s conversation that covers off lots of different value opportunities - they engage differently and can see the benefits of working with you. Those who just ask you to respond to a brief and give them a price are worth avoiding.Stay Boom!S
- Yep, I get it all the time. Potential clients come on and tell you they love your work, and it really works for them, but they can get someone for a third of my price. Duh! From other professionals like Doctors, whom I told "you had to pay a lot for your training, will you reduce your charges?" There is a difference, if you like my work, pay my rate.
- As difficult as it might be try and spin it like this:Be thankful. Thankful that you don’t waste your time with a client who didn’t value what you do that same way you do - it WILL only lead to problems further down the line.Thankful that an experience like this makes it easier the next time. It’s one of the most difficult things as a freelancer, pricing a project, but it’s part of it - the more you do it and encounter issues like this, the raiser it gets.And remember, the best way to price anything is actually to price the client. A really good way to talk to a client is to go through what it is they want to achieve - what is it worth to them and their business. If they want to do whatever they’re doing to drive sales by 10% well, what’s 10% worth to them?Definitely stick to your guns and if you lose out on business in the short run, it’ll get you closer to where you want to be and working with the sort of clients you want to work with in the long run.
- Hi!My advice in this case is to bounce back with the question of "what is your budget?" and setting limits accordingly to their offer. I'm sure your rates include certain parameters that perhaps won't be met with lower ones, so sometimes a wake-up call is good to make the person on the other side understand why you made that offer in the first place. If you really need that work, there's something that should be sacrificed, wether it might be time, quality, or money. If the price is low, then there's no need to put this work ahead of much more compensating ones, and the client should be aware of such too.Regardless, trust your work and the quality of it, and even if that means losing some opportunities, eventually the right employers will come! Wishing you the best
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