When you start out as an independent worker, the first step is to define your prices. Whether you are freelance (Eirl, sasu, micro enterprise) or on a freelance portage salarial contract, your prices are sometimes hourly or daily, but can also take the form of a fixed monthly fee or a fixed fee for a specific service.

But what rates should you charge? What factors should you take into account when setting your rates? We've listed a few things to think about to help you set your rates as a freelancer.

Carry out a market study:

Before thinking about the rates you want to set for your services, you need to carry out some market research. This will enable you to find out who your competitors are and what they charge for similar services.

What's the key? Adapt and work on the content of your services to stand out from the competition.

Analyze the market demand and study the 'psychological price'.

‘What is free has no value’: Think about it and don't devalue yourself with prices that are too low! For example, in the case of a call for tenders, the lowest price is not necessarily the most reassuring because it may suggest an incomplete service or hidden costs.

• What's the key? Estimate fair rates that reflect the quality of your services.

Estimate your ‘cost price

What is my minimum wage, the one that will enable me to cover my expenses? What is my average salary? And what is my ideal salary? Run a simulation based on your expenses to estimate your net income.

• What's the key? Adjusting your rates. Find the right balance between your needs, the level of service expected by the customer and the time you need to provide it. Clearly define the limits of your assignment and the time allowed to complete it.

• Don't be too greedy; simply assess and express the level of your assignments. Don't be too low either, as this would devalue your work/service.

Adapt to the situation: balance between opportunity and negotiation.

A young freelancer who needs to prove himself will inevitably be more open to negotiation than a senior freelancer. They need to prove themselves and build up their business base.

• What's the key? Show a degree of flexibility if a unique and profitable opportunity for the development of your business arises, but never ‘sell’ yourself on the cheap, as this could discredit and devalue the value of your work.

There are, however, a number of factors that can cause rates to vary for freelance and/or freelance administration. There are a number of variables that can cause prices to fluctuate. Here are a few of them:

• The duration of the assignment: if you are working for a client for a long period of time, offer a discount (be careful not to devalue your work too much).

• The scope of the assignment: if your client asks you to provide a strategic/very specific service, you can increase your rates. The idea is to make the most of your expertise to meet the company's challenge/need;

• The skills used: if a service requires skills that only you possess or a very specific or rare technicality, you will be in a strong position and will be able to adjust your rates upwards.

Set yourself realistic sales targets.

Calculate your costs and carry out a benchmark to position yourself against your competitors. Don't forget that your prices are part of your shop window.

That's why you need to adapt them to the country, the sector, the rarity of the services you provide and the opportunities that come your way.