Asking for the Raise
Does anyone have an easy time asking the boss for a raise? As freelancers, we think we can avoid it because hey, we’re self employed! Ha. Self-employment is an illusion under which we work. No, dear writers. Whenever we want a raise, we are very much employees, but our boss is now many bosses.
In a recent discussion, a writer lamented the fact that her rate hike, which still wasn’t high enough for her skill level, was objected to by her best client. He thought it was “steep.” So when you raise your rates and your clients object, what are your options?
First, accept that you are allowed a fighting wage. Mind you, if you’re charging $500 an hour to write advertising copy, then the problem lies clearly with your expectations. But if you raise your rates $10 or even $15 an hour after years of being at the same level, that shouldn’t cause such alarm in a client. Yes, the client may not expect it or even believe that you deserve it, but this is one client out of many you will have in your career. Sometimes the client in front of you is there because he cannot afford another writer’s rate. Sometimes we outgrow each other in that respect. But I’ve found from personal experience that the moment I set my rates to compete with other top freelancers, the client base changed and the work increased.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t forget about those clients who have been loyal to you throughout the tough times. Kristen King says to offer an ongoing discount to regular customers, and to offer it at a rate slightly more than your old rate but less than your new rate. Great advice, as always! If your client still objects, you must then make the choice between continuing at the current rate or dropping the client. I would suggest another option – try renegotiating with the client. “Okay, I’ll keep this rate for you for another six months, but after that, I really must raise it in order to make my overhead.” Phrase it as a business person trying to remain in business. It gets much more notice than, “Well gee, I deserve a raise because I’m underpaid as a writer anyway.” No. It’s about business. Your business. Your client’s concerns are considered, but in the end you must conduct business as a professional.
And that’s the thing you should understand. You’re not just a writer. You’re a business entrepreneur. Your overhead must be met, just like any other business. As writers, we often diminish our own talents and worth because our overhead is less visible than say a storefront on Main Street. But it’s there, and it still needs to be compensated for. Your electric bill may not come in as “Jane Doe Freelancing”, but that you deduct a portion of the electric bill from your taxes means that yes, you had to pay it as a business expense. Please start thinking that way.
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t hurt to sit down now and map out your current income versus your expenses. What will it take for you to survive and maintain a decent profit? If you see a gap in the numbers, adjust accordingly. Figure your new rate, and then in November, mail out notices to your current clients that beginning January 1, you’ll be raising your rates. And offer to get some projects done now under your old rate structure. It’s an added courtesy to them, and it helps you to maintain a solid working relationship with those who have been the foundation of your business.