The math shown every time. No promise of what anyone will earn.
Sample issue, written to show the idea. Every figure in it is an example and made up.
An hourly rate pays you for time. A fixed price pays you for the result, and you carry the risk of the clock. Neither is better. They answer different questions, and the first question is how long the job really takes.
| Example job: 10 hours of work | 10 h |
| Example hourly rate | $40 |
| Example hourly total | $400 |
| Example fixed price, if it really takes 14 hours | $400 |
| Example effective rate on the fixed price | about $29 an hour |
The fixed price felt safe. The clock disagreed.
Raise rates for new clients first, because it costs nothing to try. For an existing client, give notice, name the date and keep the reason short. If a client leaves over a modest raise, you have learned something about the fit.
A freelance year has quiet stretches. Pricing that ignores them looks fine on paper and fails in February. Think in months, not in single jobs, and keep a note of how many weeks were unpaid.
| Example: 4 paid weeks in a month | 4 w |
| Example: 1 unpaid week for finding work | 1 w |
| Share of the month that pays, in this example | 4 of 5 weeks |
A weekly note in plain words. A real one could start on this name. The domain is for sale.
See the price