Description

Most freelance freelance consultants don’t raise their rates often enough. They set a rate when they start, charge the same rate to clients they’ve worked with for years, and end up earning less in real terms every year as costs rise. This template helps you review your rate and communicate a change to existing clients clearly and professionally.

How to use this

Start with the rate assessment section: when did you last raise your rate, what has changed in your costs or experience since then, and what does the market currently pay for your level of work? Use this to arrive at a new rate you can justify.

The email templates cover two situations: a rate increase for an ongoing client, and a higher rate for new clients coming in alongside existing ones. Both are written to be direct without being apologetic.

The FAQ section anticipates the most common client responses, “can we keep the current rate?” and “can we phase it in?”, and suggests honest ways to handle them.

What’s included

• Editable Word document (.docx) with rate assessment worksheet and email templates
• PDF reference version

Who it’s for

Freelance freelance consultants who haven’t reviewed their rates recently and want a structured way to do it.

Before you download

• Give existing clients reasonable notice of a rate change. Three months is standard for long-term clients; less is appropriate for newer relationships.
• After downloading, you will find both files in your account.
• You are getting a licence to use this and adapt it for your own work. You cannot sell, redistribute, or share it with others.