DO NOT DO THIS FREELANCERS

[@DerekHalpern]

Want to see "behind the scenes" of an entrepreneur who makes more than $1M dollars per year? Follow me on Instagram. It might surprise you. instagram.com/derekhalpern

[@onlinevisuallyleadsthatcal627]

Keep making more videos

[@michaelyoung6211]

I used to struggle with quoting clients. So many doubts. Trying to balance what they might pay and what I wanted to make. I finally learned to build out a template with legitimate pricing that works for me regardless. Part of that was learning to know my bottom line and not go beneath it just to scramble for business. I learned the hard way that if you take a job you have to perform at the expected level no matter what. I took a job for way under what I should have and then had a “fuck it I’m doing it for less than I should” attitude. Needless to say the client wasn’t happy. Had I explained that I would do it at X price but that only included Y services ,we all would have been satisfied. Instead we both walked away unhappy. Send the guy a link to the video thanking him for the inspiration and asking him for a breakdown. If he gets too butthurt you didn’t want to work with him anyway.

[@IvyWinter]

As a freelancer I have struggled with the opposite, which is coming down on price because im always hemming and hawing "am i charging too much?" now, ive set my rates and im learning that, my rates are my rates. and if someone can't afford me, they can find someone they CAN afford (or maybe i can even point them to someone). I agree on one offs like you said, of "hey i can drop my price a little because i love what you're doing" but i think freelancers just need to not only be clear in what they offer but confident in their abilities and prices.

[@lisaanselmo326]

Good for you. In the beginning of my career, I would decide my fee based on an hourly rate/times hours of work (padded 5X, because, you know, clients). If it felt outrageously high, I'd adjust my fee keeping in mind a minimum hourly I could live with. I would also specify number of rounds of changes (I'm a designer), and anything over, I'd charge hourly, a nice round fee. Also keeps the client from requesting too many changes. ;)

[@massstigma]

Send it. How is he going to learn if no one cares enough to tell him.

[@mattscofield3396]

You should send it to him. It's something that will help him in the long run. Great video as always, Derek!

[@jbrisland]

That is such a vague answer! And without even explaining what you get for the price...

[@lisaanselmo326]

I don't pitch standard flat rate packages/pricing, because each client is very different. Instead, after speaking with the potential client, I send a proposal that iterates their goals and what I will provide to address those goals. It's often quite detailed, though I have a template I use, but working this way I find that clients have more respect for what I do and balk less at the fee because they fully understand what they are getting. But, I will itemize each aspect of the branding process, e.g., creative brief and look book; marketing plan, collateral design, etc. so if they want, they can cherry pick the items they want from me. I also never ask their budget; instead I tell them what their budget should be: minimum 1% of projected annual earnings should go to marketing. If they don't care enough to pay for branding and marketing, why should I care enough to do the work?

[@CathySirvatka]

Ugh. If you’ve seen his work and know it’s amazing, talk to him and tell him that but that you are completely unclear about his pricing. If you don’t know for sure that he’s amazing, I would send him an email that you are going to continue your search. If he asks why, I would tell him he came across as unprofessional and I don’t think we’d be a good match.

[@speakingeffortlessly1137]

I think this guy read a bunch of tactical advice online about charging what you're worth and raising prices, but ended up interpreting it in some stupid way. I'd ask him what's the difference I get. Reasonable question and not directly confrontational.

[@b-curelaserromania8429]

I find this video extremely useful, so thank you!

[@michaelaturner8996]

If you send him the video link it's kind of like one-on-one coaching isn't it? How much is that worth? If you want to hire the guy pay him $400 for a well-defined $600 package because you just showed him how to more professionally freelance, generate more business, and expand his operation. Then, with his permission, use his success from following your coaching as one of your case studies. Win-Win.

[@Yahyabuisir]

Send him the link

[@Mewbits]

Send him a link! I know I'm going to send a few freelancers this video. haha. If anything it's with good intentions to help them not make the same mistake. And, Oh my gosh! YES! It always urks me when I'm looking to hire a freelancer and they ask me what my budget is. I want to know what your price is and I will let you know if I can afford it! Almost 9 times out of 10 I just move on to another freelancer. What's even WORSE though is when they don't even give me their portfolio or resume and just ask to, "know more about the project." I'm just like, dude, I'm not going to bother to tell you about the project until I feel like your skills could be a fit. I'm sure you can agree, hiring agents don't have time for that. We get lots of applications.

[@petergoudkamp]

Hi Derek, i would not even reply on that mail. No body should do that man...

[@brandingyouacademy3205]

It would be great if all freelancers were also product creators. They would likely do a lot better on both the front end and the back end. Not to mention often avoiding client work altogether because some people will buy the training, leaving them to work with more of the plumb clients.

[@peternyiri8586]

Yes, you should send him the link to the video. He should learn from his mistake. But, go even further, create a marketing campaign for freelancers, just like you did for hair stylists, and make more money on the fact!

[@AdHawk]

Glad you're back, Derek. We should collaborate sometime!

[@enriquegonzalezortegariver4181]

Tell the guy or gal to go ahead and do the best job he can do and then you will pay either $450 or $600 depending on how great or less great of a job you´ve got.

[@CathySirvatka]

Enrique Gonzalez Ortega Rivera Ha!

[@enriquegonzalezortegariver4181]

Is this a "that is funny Ha or a snarky Ha". Have a great day a make mucho dinero.

[@keithbulatao2186]

Send him the link... and more importantly, where did you get your air plant wall hanging? It’s awesome!

[@MichaelLopez]

Amen

[@PayneMaximus]

Sounds totally reasonable!

[@austinreedgillis]

Lol, I've had a freelancer pull that exact pitch with me before. I've also had freelancers say that they would do work for free until we felt like paying them.. WT-actual-F?

[@ecouturehandmades5166]

Ask "what do I get for Z versus X?" and "do you clean up after yourself?" or 'do I have to buy you lunch/provide coffee?' You might get the cheaper price for more service if you "treat" the worker a little bit. Just sayin'

[@DMcG1974]

Awesome video. I would send him a link to the video and see if he replies. If he's not an idiot he will reply with an apology and a justification of the prices he gave you.

[@chadelliottfahlman]

Pay him $400 and direct him to your 'discounting is for dummies' article. I hate, hate, HATE it when freelancers first ask my budget. The freelancer has already demonstrated their work ala portfolio. I just want to pay money dollars!

[@chaseaddison4769]

well say "my budget depends on your price"

[@ashb9254]

Thanks for the advice, but the video quality looks dated

[@MarkNoldy]

Ask for if he has multiple packages.

[@bettinawalsh464]

Hey well, if you need a freelance writer (blogs, articles etc.) I'm your girl! haha, Thanks for the reminder on this, rates are always a tricky subject!

[@richardharris5336]

How to deal with this situation? Hire someone else. Look elsewhere. They've already proven themselves incompetent. What else are they going to screw up on?

[@sirajjoseph6364]

thank u thank u thank u

[@DeeDeeCreative]

Damn, what was the job? Wish I'd known, would love to be a part of your team Derek :D

[@richardharris5336]

Most "freelancers" (by the way, you shouldn't be calling yourself that even if you are one) offer their services based on a hundred different interactions they've had with clients, or based on what their competitors do. It becomes a series of knee her reactions, insecurities and all muddled into their own fears of not getting hired or not getting paid what they want. That's when you get dumb ass responses like you go. The best business owners will have a simple sales process which helps the prospective client. It created a pleasant experience which makes them happy regardless. These are the best people to work with and they stand out by a mile.

[@AngelwriterCreations]

If I were you, I'd look for another freelancer or say that you found another freelancer that's giving you X-amount of dollars at a better rate and see if he matches that. If he does, great, if not use the other freelancer that you find. Just because someone gives you a good rate or a good deal doesn't mean its going to be good service, especially from my experience. By the way, what kind of work are you looking to have done? If you can explain that in a video, that might help you attract the freelancer you want.

[@brainstate2735]

😂😂This Was Great ..

[@apoesk21]

Negotiate for the best price! - at least now you know that he is willing to change the price. :)

[@DeeDeeCreative]

And yes, I'm a great negotiator :D

[@scalemath]

Send him the link 😬

[@marianscloset]

I just love your accent LMAO

[@Rasfen]

tell him your buget is 300 :))

[@ericr2617]

I like the shirt