Warning: I tried to raise my rates by $10 an hour and lost my best client

I've been doing freelance web design for about two years and finally felt confident enough to charge more. Last month, I told my main client, who gave me steady work, that my rate was going from $35 to $45. I thought it was a small jump. They said they'd think about it and ghosted me a week later. Now I'm scrambling to find new projects and my income dropped by half this month. I learned the hard way that you need to build up a bigger client list before you make a move like that. Has anyone else had a client bail after a rate increase, and how do you make it less risky?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan4102mo ago

That's the freelance version of a bad breakup text.

noah_walker162mo ago

My last client ghosting felt like a real divorce.

chen.james1mo ago

Wait, does that mean I have to split my assets with them now too...? Pretty sure they keep the retainer either way so at least the settlement is simple. Feels like getting ghosted should at least come with a goodbye text, but I guess freelancers don't get that courtesy.