How To Charge Agency Rates as a Freelancer

How To Charge Agency Rates as a Freelancer

Author: Millo September 23, 2025 Duration: 21:59
Worried about raising your rates and losing clients? You're not alone. In this episode, Preston and Austin Church tackle one of the most common freelancer fears: how to increase pricing without damaging client relationships. But here's the twist—your clients might care about way more than just saving money. Austin shares eye-opening insights about client psychology, the hidden costs of replacing good freelancers, and why charging higher prices can actually earn you more respect. If you're planning to transition from freelancer to agency owner, this conversation will shift how you think about value, pricing strategy, and positioning yourself as an authority. Support our show sponsors → https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Submit your own question → https://freelancetofounder.com/ask Join Austin's Premium Community → ⁠https://www.freelancecake.com/community⁠ Get Austin's Book, Free Money → ⁠https://austin-l-church.kit.com/cf0feb3e27⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a common gap between working for yourself and truly building something that lasts, and Freelance to Founder lives in that space. This isn’t just theory; it’s a daily conversation for freelancers who are tired of the unpredictable income and ready to create a real business. Host Preston Lee draws from his own journey from freelancer to someone who has built and sold companies, and he brings that grounded perspective to every episode. Nearly every weekday, Preston is joined by other founders and entrepreneurs who’ve navigated the same path, breaking down the practical steps you can take to scale your solo operation. The call-in format means you’re hearing real questions from people in the trenches, facing the same client issues, pricing dilemmas, and growth plateaus you might be. Listening to this podcast feels like having a direct line to a supportive and experienced mastermind group, one that focuses on actionable strategies over vague inspiration. It’s for the designer, writer, developer, or consultant who’s ready to move beyond the feast-or-famine cycle and lay the foundation for something more substantial and sustainable. The discussions are candid, the advice is tested, and the goal is always clear: helping you transition from a solo practitioner to the founder of a thriving business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Freelance to Founder
Podcast Episodes
Profit-Sharing with Agencies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
On today’s episode: working with agencies is a great way to fill your client pipeline on a regular basis. But if an agency is going to “white label” your services, how does the money work? Who gets what? How much? And wh…
[Q&A] Rich Client Treats Me Like a Therapist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
On today’s Q&A Episode, Noah Tetzner finds himself in a tight spot. He’s got a high-paying client on a monthly retainer. And while this makes a ton of financial sense for his business, this client is starting to go way o…
The Power of Referral Partners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
On today's show, we get called out by our call-in guest, Erik. Here's the thing: Clay and I are always talking about finding referral partners—other freelancers or businesses who can send you new clients as a sort of tra…
[Q&A] Are Proposals Really Worth Your Time? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:15
Today’s question comes from our free Mastermind group on Facebook. Maja asks: "What are your best tips for writing proposals as a freelancer?" This episode was originally aired on May 17, 2022. To submit your question, v…
Sole–Proprietor or LLC? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:16
On today’s show, Molly Cox calls in with questions about the freelance business she started just six months ago. Top of mind for her: Should she stay a sole–proprietor or form an LLC? Before the legal terms tempt you to…
[Q&A] I've Lost My Passion, Now What? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
In today's SHORT, Rachel Stoneking, from our free Facebook Mastermind Group asked how she could get a passion for her business back. She shares her personal feeling of anxiety and disappointment after losing clients with…
When To Call Yourself an Agency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
On today’s show: have you ever wondered when is the right time to start calling yourself an agency? It can be a bit awkward early on. So Clay and I coach our call-in guest Austin through the right timing. Austin has many…
[Q&A] How to Handle 5 Common Nightmare Clients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:25
We’ve had a lot of you send questions about difficult clients. So for today’s short, I’m pulling some audio from our YouTube channel to help you out. The video is from a talented freelancer, Josh, on just how to handle 5…
For Control Freaks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:12
On today's show: if you're a control freak, you're probably hurting your business. Not helping it. That's the tough news we have to give Silvia, who has a small team of contractors but finds herself reluctant to hand off…
[Q&A] Extra Fee for Crazy Client? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:29
Today’s question comes from Kirsty. She says, “Do you charge a rush fee? For example, it’s 5:22 pm, and a client asked if I could do an ad tonight. Considering how busy I am, clients need to understand that I don't work…