Why every Freelancer, Entrepreneur, and Solopreneur should publish their price sheet.
Why every Freelancer, Entrepreneur, and Solopreneur should publish their price sheet.
Here is a brief primer (if you will) on how to create a rate sheet.
Why do you need a rate sheet? Well, simply because at some point in your conversation with potential clients, the question of the price will pop up! How much does it cost? How much does that cost? What if I took this, minus that, and added this, what will it cost then, etc.
What a price sheet also does, are three essential things:
It lets the buyer know of your pricing. So they are assured that their pricing also applies equally to everyone else. A client's stature would not alter the price. It also saves you time. No more custom quotes. Provide a detailed but atomic (line-item wise) pricing sheet, and the buyer can calculate their costs.
It provides you as a seller the ability to filter out the casual lurkers and price comparison clients from the serious buyers who are genuinely interested in your services.
I even wrote an article in Indie Hackers: Services Industry? Publish your price!
However, the most crucial reason why a price sheet makes sense is that, based on your interaction with clients, it enables you to list in front of you an a la carte menu of your services. It would make you think about what you can provide and how much. What is included in the price? What is not? What are the options? The more detailed breakdown you can provide, the most professional you will be. It will also allow you to understand what and where you excel in providing services and where you lack.
Many freelancers hesitate to provide their pricing publicly, thinking they are at some disadvantage (leaving money on the table) or would be taken advantage of. Neither is the case. If anything, it gives you liberty.
As a parting thought, what about the rate sheet that you prefer not to be public? Give it a deep thought. The answer will most likely be nothing. If pricing is what someone wants of you, they can get it by doing faux ghost shopping. Do you want that?
Anyhow. I hope you give it due consideration.
Peace!