Freelancers are not for free

Seems like when you add the word ‘freelancer’ to your job title, it causes the client to assume an automatic 50 percent deduction to your quoted price.

Me: So the rate would be $XX p/hr.
Client: Yeah, but you’re a freelancer, how about $X p/hr?
Me: No, because I was paid $XXX p/hr when I was in a corporate job so you’re already getting a discount for my service. 

This conversation is usually followed by the client belittling you to justify why he shouldn’t pay up. The client would then pull up rates from bucket shop services on the internet that have 90s-inspired websites.

Client: Alright, but this should be a pretty easy job. How hard could it be to insert a few texts and images? I mean, I googled this guy in India who could do it for even less. So what I’m paying you is above average.

Once you try to refuse the client’s offer, he/she probably starts throwing around jargon words that have no relevance what-so-ever.

Client: You’re not utilising a core opportunity here where you could have really made an innovative difference. There’s a tangible learning curve present, but obviously you lack that determination as a real go-getter. Yeah, you’re probably not the right candidate for this job anyways.