One of the most terrifying questions for any freelancer is: “So, what is your rate?”
Answer too high, and you might scare the client away. Answer too low, and you end up working for pennies, resenting the project, and burning out.
But getting the number right is only half the battle. The other half is ensuring that money actually lands in your bank account. We have all heard the horror stories of “ghost clients” and invoices that go unpaid for months.
To build a sustainable career, you need two things: a Pricing Strategy that reflects your value, and a Payment System that protects your income.
Here is how to calculate your worth and guarantee you get paid using Feedcoyote.
Part 1: How to Price Your Services Correctly
Stop guessing numbers. Your rate isn’t just about what you want to earn; it’s about running a business. Here are three proven models to consider.
1. The “Cost-Plus” Hourly Rate (For Beginners)
If you are new, you might default to an hourly rate. But don’t just pick a random number.
- The Formula:
(Desired Annual Salary + Overhead Costs + Taxes) ÷ Billable Hours - The Trap: Remember, you aren’t billable 40 hours a week. You spend time marketing, learning, and doing admin. A safe bet is to assume you are billable only 20-25 hours a week.
- The Fix: If you want to earn $50/hour, charge $75/hour to cover your non-billable time.
2. Fixed-Project Pricing (For Efficiency)
As you get faster, hourly billing punishes you. If you can write a blog post in 1 hour instead of 4, why should you be paid less?
- The Strategy: Charge for the deliverable, not the time.
- Example: instead of “$50/hour,” charge “$250 per article.”
- Benefit: Clients love this because they know exactly what the budget is upfront. You love it because if you work efficiently, your effective hourly rate goes up.
3. Value-Based Pricing (For Experts)
This is the gold standard. You price based on the value you bring to the client’s business.
- The Mindset: Don’t charge for the logo design; charge for the brand identity that will help them launch a million-dollar product.
- The Strategy: If your work will help them make $50,000, charging $5,000 is a bargain, regardless of how many hours it takes you.
Part 2: How to Get Paid Securely (The Feedcoyote System)
Once you have agreed on a price, you need to lock it down. A verbal agreement is not enough. Here is how to use Feedcoyote to ensure that price turns into profit.
1. Never Start Without a Contract
The number one reason freelancers don’t get paid is “Scope Creep” or undefined terms.
- The Feedcoyote Solution: Use the Contract feature immediately.
- What to Include:
- Scope: Exactly what are you delivering? (e.g., “5 Logo Variations”).
- Revisions: How many changes are included? (e.g., “2 Rounds of Revisions. Extra rounds billed at $X”).
- Payment Schedule: When is money due? (e.g., “50% upfront, 50% on delivery”).
- Why it works: A signed contract on Feedcoyote signals professionalism. It scares away bad clients who intended to stiff you, and it legally protects good clients.
2. Use Milestones for Big Projects
If a project lasts more than a month, do not wait until the end to get paid. That is too much risk.
- The Feedcoyote Solution: Break the project down in your Project Workspace.
- Milestone 1: Strategy Document ($500) – Paid immediately.
- Milestone 2: First Draft ($1,000) – Paid upon submission.
- Milestone 3: Final Launch ($1,000) – Paid upon completion.
- Why it works: It keeps cash flowing into your business throughout the project. If a client misses the first payment, you stop working immediately, minimizing your loss.
3. Professional Invoicing & Tracking
Sending a text message saying “here is my PayPal” is amateur. It makes it easy for accounting departments to ignore you.
- The Feedcoyote Solution: Generate professional Invoices directly within the platform.
- Why it works:
- The invoice is linked to the project and contract, so there is no confusion about what it’s for.
- You can track exactly when an invoice is sent, viewed, and paid.
- It creates a centralized financial record for your taxes.
4. Keep Payments on the Platform
- The Feedcoyote Solution: Accept payments directly through Feedcoyote.
- Why it works: It acts as a secure intermediary. It separates your personal bank details from the client and ensures a clean, verifiable transaction history.
Pricing is an art, but getting paid is a science.
Don’t let fear dictate your rates, and don’t let disorganization threaten your income. By adopting a confident pricing model and using Feedcoyote to enforce contracts and manage payments, you turn your freelance “hustle” into a secure, profitable business.
Ready to get paid what you are worth? Join Feedcoyote today to create contracts, manage invoices, and secure your freelance income.
