As a freelancer or an entrepreneur building a new business, mastering the art of pricing is crucial and can often be a challenging aspect. Pricing isn't just about setting initial rates; it also involves adapting to market shifts and economic factors like inflation. In this article, we offer guidance on establishing your initial pricing and effectively communicating price increases.

Establishing a Price List: Key Factors

→ Identifying Costs

A fundamental step in creating a price list is to comprehensively detail all expenses. This includes both recurring costs like rent and one-time expenses such as equipment purchases.

Examples of recurring costs:

  • Rent

  • Employee salaries (or your own as a business owner)

  • Insurance and taxes

  • Equipment depreciation

  • Office supplies (including coffee)

  • Travel expenses

  • Material costs

Examples of one-time costs:

  • Equipment purchases (like printers)

  • Furnishing office/studio

  • Business licensing

  • Training and courses

→ Workload Assessment

It's vital to consider not just how many hours you plan to work daily, but also how many hours you can realistically commit to. For freelancers, remember that billable hours are actual hours worked, which often differ from a typical 8-hour workday.

→ Market and Competitor Analysis

Understanding where your services or products fit in the market is key. Are you a new entrant or an established name? What unique value do you offer compared to competitors? Assess market demand and supply for your offerings, and consider any unique artistic or authorial value.

→ Calculating Hourly Rates

For example, if a freelancer’s monthly expenses are 50k and they can work 130 hours a month, the hourly rate should be set at 385 CZK.

💡MyInvoiceOnline.co.uk tip: Implement a minimum billable time frame, such as 15 minutes, even for tasks that take less time. This ensures compensation for the effort involved in each task.

→ Managing Price Increases

Transparency is key when raising prices. Communicate clearly with clients about the reasons for the increase and how it reflects rising input costs. Also, provide timely notifications, especially if you have a stock of materials that might delay the price hike.

Finally, how do you feel about pricing your services or products? Are there any additional factors you consider for effective pricing? Share your thoughts and experiences.