Myitly

You landed the idea, you have the skills, and AI helps you deliver faster than ever. Then a potential client asks, “So, what do you charge?” and your mind goes blank. Most beginners panic and quote a number that is far too low. This post gives you a simple way to price your work with confidence.

Why beginners undercharge

There are three common traps. First, you assume that because AI does part of the work, the work must be worth less. Second, you compare yourself to experienced freelancers instead of to the problem you solve. Third, you are afraid that a higher price will scare away your first client.

Here is the reframe: clients pay for the result, not for the hours. A well-written week of social posts is worth the same to a business owner whether it took you three hours or one.

Three ways to price your services

• Hourly: Simple to explain, but it punishes you for getting faster with AI. Use it only for open-ended work where the scope keeps changing.
• Per project: A fixed price for a clear deliverable, such as five blog posts or a month of captions. This is the best starting point for most beginners.
• Monthly package: A fixed price for ongoing work. It gives you predictable income and gives the client a simple decision to make.

A simple pricing formula

Use these three steps to land on a number:

1. Set your floor. Estimate the real hours the project takes (including editing and client messages) and multiply by the minimum hourly rate you would accept. Never go below this.
2. Check the value. Ask what the result is worth to the client. If it helps them win even one new customer, your price is probably small compared to that.
3. Price between the two. Choose a number above your floor that still feels like a fair deal for the client, then offer it as a package with a clear scope.

Define the scope so the price holds

A good price falls apart without a clear scope. Always state what is included: the number of deliverables, how many rounds of revisions, and the delivery date. Anything extra is a separate, paid add-on. This protects you from “quick favours” that quietly eat your week.

Offer three tiers

Instead of one price, present a Basic, Standard, and Premium option. Most clients choose the middle one, and the top tier makes it feel reasonable. For example, a social media service could be a lighter plan with a few posts a week, a standard plan with a full calendar, and a premium plan that adds reporting and replies to comments.

When to raise your prices

Raise your rates when you are booked out, when a client says yes instantly without negotiating, or after every few completed projects. Increases do not need a long explanation. A short, friendly note that rates are changing from the next project is enough.

Your next step

Pick one service you can offer this week and write down your floor price, your target price, and a clear scope. Then practise saying the number out loud. If you are still deciding which service to focus on, start with our free Start Earning Online guide, and when you are ready for ready-made scripts and pricing help, take a look at the AI Side Hustle Quickstart Toolkit.