There is no doubt that Filipino freelancers have become some of the most sought-after talents in the global gig economy. Over the decades, Filipinos have become valued the world over for their strong work ethic, adaptability, and good communication skills. Unfortunately, skilled Filipino workers face serious challenges moving past the workforce’s history of low wages.
The country’s professionals developed their freelancing competence when the cost of living and local wages were relatively low by global standards. Today, however, many employers and freelancers alike are still stuck in that old paradigm, with many Filipino freelancers undervaluing their work because of ignorance or just so they can get hired quickly. This has led to a vicious cycle of underpayment that benefits overseas employers but seriously impacts local freelancers.
As a freelancer, you’ll probably agree that it’s time to change the status quo. In the strict sense of the word, “competitive” does not mean exploitative. It means fair and sustainable within the context of the market.
Once you’re ready to start charging with confidence, follow these practical tips for your next freelance projects.
- Know and Show What You’re Worth
To charge the right price, you need a realistic picture of what you’re worth to employers. After all, it makes no sense for a beginner to charge the same as someone with five years of specialized experience. That said, if you’ve got niche skills with wide value like SEO, UX design, or automation scripting, you can probably command a higher rate than someone with the same relative experience who offers more limited services.
In any case, don’t be shy about your credentials and results as these are the things that justify your pricing. Don’t forget to smoothen things out by specifying a freelancer payment method that all your potential clients can manage.
- Compare Notes with Other Freelancers
While you should never give in to groupthink, it does help to learn from other people’s experiences. Join online communities or attend local freelancer meetups to get a more realistic idea about rates and other important matters with others who understand exactly what you’re going through. You’ll learn a lot just by hearing how other freelancers price themselves and handle clients.
- Research Market Rates Based on Skill and Location
Joining communities is a good start but they will not always offer a complete picture. After all, one also must consider where employers are coming from. Check websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Glassdoor to get a rough range of what employers are actually paying.
If you have qualifications, don’t look at the lowest-tier offers. Start with the mid- to high-range figures that match the quality of your work. From there, you can figure out how the unique things you bring to the table can improve your negotiating position.
- Set an Hourly Rate Based on Monthly Target Income
To get an ideal hourly rate, work backwards from your ideal monthly income. For example, if you want to earn ₱80,000 a month working 80 billable hours, that means you need to charge ₱1,000 an hour. Next, factor in taxes and other expenses like equipment, subscriptions, and utilities so that you’re sure you’re actually building a sustainable freelance business.
Don’t be afraid to go slightly above your project estimates to account for areas like revisions, meetings, and admin-related tasks so that you avoid overwork and underpayment.
- Be Confident When Quoting
Filipinos can be non-confrontational, a quality that is often a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can smooth over relationships and guarantee long contracts with clients. On the other hand, it can keep you from getting paid what we’re worth.
Learn to overcome this habit and never apologize for asking to be paid what you’re worth. Quote with confidence and be prepared to make a case why you are worth it. Though you must be open to salary negotiations, try to be firm and see what kind of compromise you can live with. For instance, you may be able to reduce your scope of work rather than lower your rates. Unintuitively, your confidence may prove to be the thing that convinces your client to take you on.
- Offer Tiered Pricing
Your clients are people too and most don’t want to make things more complicated than they have to be. Offering different packages with accompanying rates and levels of service can make your value more visible and make it significantly easier for clients to go with you. Another upside to tiered rates is that they also prevent you from giving away too much for too little, keeping your business sustainable.
- Always Say No to Lowball Offers
Saying no can feel scary when you need the money. However, sticking with low-paying jobs is inevitably going to lead to burnout without anything more to show for it. At the end of the day, not all clients are worth your energy and neither are all projects worth your time.
Own Your Value and Start Charging with Purpose
Knowing what to charge and how to prove your value to prospective clients is one of the trickiest parts of freelancing. With the right mindset and the tips above, you can stop undercutting yourself and start charging rates that truly reflect your worth. Tweak these ideas to fit your situation and don’t be afraid to raise the bar. Good luck!
