NEGOTIATING RATES ON A FIRST ASSIGNMENT

Hello!

I’m excited to take on this [project/article]. Is there any room in the budget for a higher rate?

Thanks,

[Your name]

NEGOTIATING A HIGHER RATE FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS

I use this when I’m speaking with an editor I’ve worked with for a few months or a few assignments. There’s no harm in asking! I’ve had editors say yes and editors say no and still gotten assignments.

Hi [Editor],

I love [working on this assignment/writing this column]. So far, I’ve done [examples]. I was wondering, is there any room in your budget for a higher rate?

Thanks so much! I love working with you.

[your name]

NEGOTIATING A RATE AFTER RECEIVING REGULAR ASSIGNMENTS

Friend of the newsletter and former NYT editor Tim Herrera suggests this:

Thanks again for this assignment! I just wanted to ask: We’ve done X, Y, and Z stories together, and I’m wondering if with this new assignment we could revisit my rate? I’d love to be at around [rate]. Thanks!

NEGOTIATING A LOWER SCOPE OF WORK WHEN THE BUDGET CAN’T MOVE

Sometimes you want to work with a client, but they want more work than it’s worth. In these situations, it’s worth seeing if you can lower the scope of work.

Hi there!

I would love to work with you, but that rate is below my fee. I’d like the rate to be around [price]. If that’s not possible, I can do [XYZ] within your budget.

Thank you,

[Your name]

NEGOTIATING A HIGHER RATE BECAUSE IT’S TIME

I like to raise rates at the beginning of the year or with a new quarter. Sometimes I need to tell a client that I either need a higher rate or I can’t work with them in the future, and this is one way to start that conversation.

Hi [name],

I adjust my rates every so often to keep up with inflation and to account for new skills, which also allows me to provide you with better service! As of [date], my rate will be [price].

If this new rate doesn’t work for you, please let me know. I can connect you with another freelancer.

Thank you,

[Your name]

NEGOTIATING A HIGHER RATE BECAUSE OF A HIGHER SCOPE OF WORK

Some clients will push for more work outside of your agreed upon scope of work. This is one way a contract comes in clutch.

Hello!

I’m confident I can accomplish your goals, but this is outside of the scope of work previously agreed on. As per our [contract/email], I will deliver [x] per [date]. I can do [requested scope], but as it is outside of the contract, there will be budget changes. Are you okay paying more for the [outcome]?

Thanks,

[Your name]

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Related reading where you can learn more about this topic.

• How to determine your fate and income as a freelancer. Great advice here.

• F U, Pay Me. One of the best episodes of The Writers’ Co-op

• Rates aren’t rising at all. Rates for many publications have stagnated even as inflation rises.

• Use these freelance rate databases. I find these helpful to refer to!