Picture this: You’re pulling all-nighters, juggling multiple clients, and delivering top-notch work—only to realize you’re barely breaking even. Sounds familiar? If you’re a freelancer in the Philippines, chances are you’ve been shocked at how low some clients expect you to charge.
The sad truth? Many Filipino freelancers unknowingly undervalue their services, either out of fear of losing clients or simply because they don’t know their worth. But here’s the deal—pricing yourself too low isn’t just bad for your wallet, it’s bad for your career.
It’s time to fix that.
Why Filipino Freelancers Undervalue Themselves
Before we dive into the fix, let’s talk about bakit nga ba ganito? (why this happens).
The “Competitive” Filipino Mindset
Many Pinoy freelancers think, “Mas mababa ang rate, mas maraming clients!” (The cheaper, the more clients!). But guess what? Clients who only want the cheapest option usually don’t respect your time—or your skills.
The Global Race to the Bottom
With freelancers from all over the world bidding for the same jobs, it’s easy to feel like you need to lower your rates just to land projects. But low prices often attract low-quality clients—the kind who haggle, micromanage, and disappear when it’s time to pay.
The Fear of Rejection
Many freelancers are afraid to charge what they’re worth because they think clients will say “Masyadong mahal” (too expensive). The truth? High-quality clients respect high-quality rates.
How to Fix Your Pricing (Fast and Smart)
Now that you know why you’re undercharging, let’s talk about how to price yourself like a pro.
1. Do the Math (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
A freelancer’s worst enemy? Guessing their rates. Stop plucking numbers from the air and start with this formula:
📌 (Your Target Monthly Income + Expenses) ÷ Billable Hours = Your Minimum Hourly Rate
Example: If you need ₱50,000/month and can only work 80 billable hours, your minimum hourly rate should be ₱625 or almost $11. Anything lower, and you’re basically underpaying yourself.
2. Charge Based on Value, Not Just Time
Think about this: If your work helps a client earn ₱500,000 or $8,641, should you really be charging ₱5,000 or $86.41? Nope.
Start thinking like a consultant, not just a worker. If you can deliver high-impact results, you deserve to charge accordingly.
3. Stop Saying YES to Lowball Offers
🚩 “Can you do this for ₱200?” 🚩
🚩 “This is an easy job, so I can only pay you ₱500.” 🚩
Lowball offers are a trap. Instead of settling, respond with:
👉 “I appreciate your offer, but my rates reflect the quality and expertise I bring. If budget is a concern, I’d be happy to suggest a more cost-effective solution.”
Notice how professional that sounds? Set boundaries and the right clients will respect you for it.
4. Test Higher Rates (Yes, Just Try It!)
If you’re scared to raise your rates, start small. Increase by 10-20% per new client and see what happens. You’ll be surprised—many clients won’t even flinch.
5. Offer Packages Instead of Hourly Rates
Instead of charging per hour (which caps your earnings), create packages based on deliverables. Example:
❌ ₱500/hour for writing
✅ ₱5,000 for a 1,500-word SEO blog post
This way, you’re paid for your output—not just the time spent.
Your Time, Your Worth, Your Rules
Freelancing isn’t about working harder for less. It’s about working smarter for more. You bring value to your clients, and it’s time to charge like it.
💡 Now, here’s your challenge:
- Recalculate your rates.
- Raise them (even just a little).
- Say no to at least one lowball offer this week.
Then come back and tell us—how did it go? Let’s start valuing ourselves the way we deserve. Tara, let’s earn better!
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