What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants [Paperback]

Laurie Lewis (Author), Laurie Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 1929129009 | ISBN-13: 978-1929129003 | Edition: 1

This book presents techniques to ensure fair freelance fees. Because it is strategy based, it will never go out of date. It is useful both for freelancers starting out and those who have been in business for years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Answers to the questions most asked...not a simple listing of fees, but strategies for arriving at your own pricing -- Freelance Writer's Report, October 2000

At last! A book on pricing strategies for people like us!...a no-nonsense, very practical approach -- Janet Perlman, Key Words, March-April 2001

From the Back Cover

"What to Charge is the consummate guide to all your pricing questions. Laurie Lewis provides an in-depth discussion of pricing strategies, tracking methods, establishing fees, analyzing projects, and developing contracts and agreements for professional freelancers and consultants. Her practical approach to the subject means you'll find yourself in many of the scenarios and examples presented throughout the book. Read this book with a pencil in one hand, because you will want to immediately use the formulas, suggestions, and pricing rules it contains. I'm certain you'll agree this will be one of the most practical books you'll ever purchase."--Elaine Biech, president and CEO, ebb associates inc and author of The Business of Consulting

"No freelancer should be without the sound advice on pricing strategies found in this invaluable book. Clearly written and based on real-life examples, What to Charge gives you the practical business advice you need for freelance success."--Sheila Buff, freelance medical writer and co-executive director, Editorial Freelancers Association

"I wish Laurie Lewis had written What to Charge twenty years ago! If I had known the principles she teaches when I started my freelance writing and photography career way back then, I'd have achieved my present success much more quickly."--Glenn Randall, freelance writer and photographer.

"Laurie Lewis has done a great job in presenting her ideas and strategies in a sensible, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow manner. As an experienced consultant, I thought I finally had my pricing methods honed to perfection, but her book gave me many new insights."--Larry Schloff, computer consultant

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Aletheia Pubns Inc; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929129009
• ISBN-13: 978-1929129003
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laurie Lewis (not the singer) is proud to have celebrated her silver anniversary as a freelance medical writer and editor. Through all those years, she has learned a thing or two about the business of freelancing, and she shares those insights in her book WHAT TO CHARGE: PRICING STRATEGIES FOR FREELANCERS AND CONSULTANTS.

WHAT TO CHARGE was selected as a Finalist in the Business: Writing & Publishing category of The USA Best Books 2011 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers THE question freelancers struggle with ..., January 17, 2000

By 

Karen Wiskoff (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants (Paperback)

Deciding what to charge is a basic issue freelancers struggle with constantly. As a soon-to-be freelance editor and proofreader, I found this book immensely useful AND inspiring. On a practical level, it offers a truly rational approach to setting consulting fees--no matter what field you're in. Second, and most importantly, it teaches you not to undervalue yourself and, consequently, your services.Any freelance consultant, even the most experienced, will find much of value in this book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Price It Right, February 29, 2000

By 

meher dustoor (Grand Rapids, Mich.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants (Paperback)

"Am I asking enough for this job?" "Will I lose the job if I ask for more?" "How often can I raise my rates?" If these and other pricing questions have ever bedeviled you, What to Charge will remove some of the guess work for you. Clearly, concisely, and with many examples, Laurie Lewis discusses how to develop a successful pricing strategy, analyze pricing decisions, negotiate rates with clients, and avoid pricing pitfalls. With suggestions that are simple, practical, and easy to follow, this book gives sound advice for overcoming the "How much should I charge?" dilemma and is a "must" for would-be consultants and experienced freelancers alike.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What to Charge -- the most practical book you'll read, April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants (Paperback)

The blurb on the back of the book is right! What to Charge is one of the most practical books you'll ever read. It provides a wealth of concrete information for freelancers and consultants on how to negotiate a fair price for themselves -- and for their clients. Based on the information in the book, I accepted my first freelance writing job on a per word instead of per hour payment basis -- and ended up making three times an hour what I would have! I did not have to negotiate these rates, I simply chose the more profitable of two options offered me by the company based on information from the book about how to estimate the price of a job. It's essential reading for new and experienced freelancers.