Stop Charging Local Rates
Summary
Freelance designers should ignore local market rates and charge coastal US prices ($500+/day) regardless of location—clients already expect these rates. Success depends on presenting professional work so compelling that price objections disappear.
Key Takeaways
- Quote prices upfront on sales calls ($500/day example) rather than in proposals to control negotiation and avoid becoming a 'proposal building business.'
- Target high-budget markets explicitly: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami have superior budgets compared to smaller countries or regions.
- When clients hesitate on pricing, directly surface the objection: 'I sense some hesitation. What are we thinking?'—this reveals their true budget ceiling.
- Be ruthlessly selective about low-budget projects—only accept them if they become showcase portfolio pieces worth more than the fee foregone.
- Professional presentation (clear language, documented process, caliber work) forces clients to hire at premium rates because alternatives feel riskier by comparison.
Related topics
Transcript Excerpt
And if you want to make $100,000 a year, you want to focus on doing design work probably from markets that can afford you. At least here in the United States, it's on the coast. We're talking about San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and down to Miami. They tend to have better budgets. So, if you're from a small country, you don't have to charge your local rate because the people are buying this stuff already expecting to pay this kind of price. Now, I know what you're thinking. But Chris, they called us cuz they wanted a better deal. This is where you need to learn to act and to present like a professional and if your work is at that caliber and the language is clear and your process is super clear, they will be forced to hire you and pay you that rate because you're that good. That's t…