When I left my job last summer, my business plan was: Make gorgeous websites for creative people. I was tired of designing websites for heating & cooling supply companies. I wanted what I do to be an art again.
So, my goal was mainly to work with people like you folks: artists, life coaches, teachers, small business owners. It goes without saying, then, that the goal was never to make a bunch of money and spend the summer at the beach. As such, my prices are lower than a lot of other folks’. Still, my rates have gotten higher the last six months – I have bills to pay, too (and my Great Dane eats a lot).
Currently, I am in a relatively constant struggle to find the balance between how much I need to make to get by and how little I can charge the amazing entrepreneurs who wish to work with me.
I know this is an issue that a lot of us entrepreneurs have. It’s a toughy. This post by Havi at The Fluent Self is one of my favorites on the subject. (Havi is amazing – but you knew that.)
I hate having to tell people that they can’t afford me. I know it sucks when you really need or really want something and you can’t afford it — especially something that you know is really going to help you sell yourself and could be a big breakthrough for you.
I handle this with my heart as much as possible. Sometimes I’m up for bartering. Occasionally – if there’s space in my schedule and I can afford to do so – I will cut my rates for people who feel like a good fit. The people I can tell really need my services and will truly appreciate what I can do for them. These are not the, “I won’t pay you that much – I could just do it myself if I felt like it!” people, or the “But it’d be good for your portfolio” people or the “I’ll pay you when I start making money” people. These are the genuine, “I really want to work with you, and I’ve done everything I can think of to scrape up the money, but it’s just not there” people.
I can’t always do this. Lately, I can do it less and less. But what I’ve found is that it’s a good investment.
Right? What am I saying? Everyone hates, “Just do this one for free – I promise I’ll send you lots of leads.” Empty promises! (Also, I never work for free.)
Really, though, a lot of the time when I work for very little, I do get a lot out of it. I make a new friend and business contact, first and foremost. These people – these otherwise RIGHT PEOPLE – are always grateful and eager not only to pass my name along, but to find work for me. It’s like a mini-marketing team that I don’t have to pay. It usually works out.
I think I am willing to work this way when I can because I wish that there was more time and space for doing favors – random acts of kindness, if you will. Loving our neighbors and all that.
It’s tricky business, though. Knowing when to make an exception to your rates, knowing who to make them for.
It’s not a business practice you’ll ever really see advocated anywhere and it’s probably pretty dumb and dangerous to say this on my blog.
But, one of the benefits of working for yourself is having the freedom to lend a hand where you are most needed, and I’m grateful for the freedom to do this when I can.
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