Heyo Founders and Side Hustlers 🤙
Let’s talk money.
Figuring out what to charge for your services is one of the biggest struggles for freelancers, consultants, and side hustlers. Charge too little, and you undervalue your work. Charge too much (without the right positioning), and you scare off potential clients.
So how do you set a price that makes sense? Let’s break it down.
Understand the Two Main Pricing Models
There are two core ways to price your services:
Cost-Based Pricing – You take what it costs to do the work and add a markup. Simple and safe, but doesn’t account for perceived value.
Value-Based Pricing – You charge based on the impact your service creates. More upside, but you have to communicate your value effectively.
Example: A logo designer charging $500 based on time vs. $5,000 based on how much brand equity the design will create. Big difference.
Factor in Your Costs (But Don’t Stop There)
It’s easy to default to covering costs + profit. But that’s not the full picture. Think about:
The time you’re spending on each project
Your expertise—what’s that worth?
The long-term value you bring to your clients
Industry rates—know what others are charging
Pricing isn’t just about covering expenses. It’s about charging for your skill, experience, and results.
Know Your Market & Competition
You don’t have to be the cheapest option—just the best fit for your ideal client.
Research competitors’ pricing and positioning
Identify what makes your offer unique
Position yourself as premium, standard, or budget-friendly (strategically)
Keep in mind: If clients are choosing you only because you’re the cheapest, that’s a problem. Cheap attracts the wrong crowd.
Test & Adjust (You’re Not Stuck)
Pricing isn’t permanent. Try different strategies and see what works.
Start with a base rate and increase as demand grows
Offer tiered pricing (basic, standard, premium)
Charge higher prices with better positioning—see who bites
Example: A freelance writer starting at $50/article, testing $200/article with improved branding, and seeing better results.
Confidently Communicate Your Price
Most people struggle not with what they charge, but how they say it.
State your price with confidence—don’t over-explain
Show the value—what’s the ROI for your client?
Stop discounting out of fear—low prices don’t always mean more business
Shoot Higher: If a client doesn’t flinch at your price, you might be charging too little. Raise it and see what happens.
Key Takeaways
Pricing isn’t about guessing. It’s about:
✔ Knowing your worth
✔ Positioning your value
✔ Charging based on impact, not just time
✔ Testing, tweaking, and adjusting as you grow
So—what’s one pricing struggle you’ve faced? Hit reply, let’s chat
What’s on deck for next week…
Next week, we’re diving into How to Build in Public Without Second-Guessing Everything—because overthinking is the biggest roadblock to growth.
If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis, finding your voice, worried about what to share, or afraid of getting it “wrong,” this is for you.
If you’ve got a topic you want me to dive into, or any feedback to help make this newsletter even better, let me know 🤙
Let's build and start up….
Cheers,
Billy