Setting your freelance rates
I keep seeing so many different numbers thrown around for freelance rates in the Philippines and I am not sure how to figure out what I should actually be charging for my skills, especially since I am just starting out and do not want to scare off clients with a rate that is too high or end up exhausted from working too much for too little. For those who have been doing this for a while, what is a realistic way to determine your starting rate and know when it is time to increase it?
18 Tampilan
This is a common struggle for beginners. There's no single right answer, but you can approach it logically. Start by calculating your minimum viable rate. Add up your monthly expenses and divide by your expected billable hours. That's your floor. Then look at what others with your skill level are charging. Check platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to see realistic rates. Start somewhere in the middle of that range and raise your rate every few months as you gain experience and positive reviews. A resource like pinoyfreelance.ph can give you a solid starting point for rates in the Philippine market. A good rule of thumb is if you're fully booked, it's time to increase your rate.