It can be difficult to set your own rates for work at the best of times. Working out the outputs, time costs, resources and admin is a thankless task, especially if you don’t get the work you’re pitching and bidding for.

I find it easier when agreeing to work with someone I know well. The dance that people usually have to undertake around a prices doesn’t happen so much. Trust and respect have already been earned and valuef. Your internal admin won’t need to be as extensive.

You have to have built a relationship to be able to use mates’ rates. Make sure to develop enough mates, with deep enough relationships, so you can discount. It might just make working out your rate card a bit easier too.