![\"Aim\u00e9e](\"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/IMG_9150-200x300.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
“So, what\u2019s your rate?”<\/p>\n“So, what\u2019s your rate?”<\/p>\n
A question that comes up at the end of any successful first meeting with a new client. And it\u2019s a question that I\u2019ve cringed at and felt uncomfortable with for a long time. It\u2019s a loaded question, which asks, “how much are your services<\/b> worth?” And subtly insinuates, “how much are you<\/b> worth?” No wonder it makes many of us feel uncomfortable. In many a situation, I\u2019ve undersold myself, in terms of both my skill base and my hourly rate. So, I\u2019ve decided, using my platform<\/a> on CoWomen, that I\u2019d like to open a discussion of finding personal value in the world of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n This discussion has many different components. But, at least in my case, can be split down the middle into two rough categories. These are; knowing myself and my value, and secondly, showcasing and communicating my value outwardly to clients, coworkers, and others. We\u2019ll tackle them one at a time\u2026<\/p>\n The former category is the more challenging of the two for me. It\u2019s something that I\u2019ve really had to work on and still remind myself of often. Doubting ourselves is something that we\u2019ve all done -or do- to some extent. And when starting out on your own, that can be even more prominent. Especially as a young female, often in environments dominated by people older than me. Fighting back against self-doubt has been one of my single biggest challenges, and most real key successes to date.<\/p>\n One way I challenged myself to think differently was by creating two lists on a piece of paper. One list contained my \u2018drawbacks\u2019 and the other side listed things I had achieved, my values, things I was proud of, and short term goals. For example, in the back of my mind has always been the murmur, “but you\u2019re only in your early 20\u2019s, you don\u2019t have the skills or experience that \u2018x\u2019 requires.” I scribbled this down on my paper, and linked this to statements on the other side, such as, “I have done x internship at x company.” “I have demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt by x, y and z.” “I have learnt a wide range of transferable skills by\u2026” You get the idea.<\/p>\n This piece of paper with all of the intertwining links became my \u2018bullshit-buster.\u2019 Whenever doubts flew into my brain at the speed of light, I\u2019d have instant \u2018put-downs\u2019 to my own negative, thoughts. Writing down the things I was worried people in my professional life were thinking about me, but then linking them up with honest examples of why they weren\u2019t true, or at least why they shouldn\u2019t be reasons to collaborate with me, I learned that my value was much greater than I\u2019d previously thought. “I do have the skills, my potential is great and I\u2019m excited to continue on my journey as a young female freelancer.” My mantra.<\/p>\n Before many a meeting, I\u2019ve sat in front of a mirror, wondering if I\u2019m dressed too smart, too casual, how I should introduce myself. How I can add value to this company, and ultimately how I can get the people on the other side of the table to want me on their team? Having your bullshit-buster in hand -or at least memorised in your head- is a great aid to have at this moment.<\/p>\n If I\u2019m having a meeting with a new potential client, it\u2019s because I can see myself as a part of their team. I\u2019ve certainly already done my research, had a chat with someone on the team via email or phone, and I\u2019m excited by the prospect of working together. From their side, they know I\u2019m very interested and they must think (or even just have a hunch) that I\u2019m somewhat capable or passionate.<\/p>\n Bearing in mind that the people opposite of you aren\u2019t doubting your every word. Rather, hopefully, they\u2019re interested in how you are interacting and presenting yourself; listening to your ideas and also giving you information on the role and their wants and expectations. At some point, however, the question we started this whole article with will come up. \u2018<\/p>\n “So, what\u2019s your rate?”<\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably practiced answering this answer many times. Breathe you\u2019ve got this<\/em>. Now, you know your worth in terms of what you can bring to the table, what\u2019s required of you in this potential new role, and what you believe you should be paid\u2026 Now add tax. Money isn\u2019t the be-all end-all, but this \u2018business\u2019 you\u2019ve got going on\u2026it should be benefiting you financially<\/a>. So, up that hourly rate a little, add tax or a little something to\u00a0 cover potential overheads, and be confident with the number you serve back over to the other side of the table. What\u2019s the worst that will happen? I\u2019ll tell you: it\u2019s that you\u2019ll both have to negotiate and compromise somewhere. This is very doable, and should not be shied away from. And there you go, you\u2019ve done it! The conversation that left you sweaty-palmed at the mere thought of it is over, and more importantly, you\u2019ve navigated it well. Based off of good listening skills, communicating clearly with passion, and with a strong sense of self-belief. Congratulations!<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately finding, learning, and expressing your value in whatever line of work you do is a challenge. It\u2019s something that is constantly adapting and evolving. There\u2019s no way that just one piece of paper can change your outlook. But at least it\u2019s a start, it was my start. Learning our value in every aspect of our lives is something difficult, yet imperative, and undoubtedly entirely fulfilling once we\u2019re on our way to finding it out. As freelancers, entrepreneurs, women in business, just even as humans navigating the world, we\u2019re on our way. Although right now we might not be aware of our destination, self-belief, a willingness to learn, and the right attitude will do a lot in terms of getting us there.<\/p>\n Always remember: know your value and add tax.<\/p>\n -Aim\u00e9e Elizabeth Cooper<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “So, what\u2019s your rate?” A question that comes up at the end of any successful first meeting with a new […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":79606,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[494],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85001"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85001"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85001\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85005,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85001\/revisions\/85005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cowomen.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Starting with ourselves:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Crunch time:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Adapting, changing, and learning.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n