How To Stop Undercharging And Earn More As A Freelancer
- tijana
- Apr 17
- 5 min read
Introduction
Ready for some real talk? The freelance world is broken — especially for creative entrepreneurs. We're drowning in $20 logo requests while our tech counterparts command premium rates. But what if we could change that... together?
That's exactly what Kim Price, founder of Anchor creative agency and the innovative new app Roam, is rallying female entrepreneurs to do. In this game-changing Societygal Podcast episode, Kim shares her vision for a collective uprising where creative freelancers finally get paid what they're worth.
Grab your coffee and dive into this blog post — we've packed it with actionable pricing strategies, community-building insights, and a fresh perspective on valuing your creative work.
📺 Watch the Episode
Key Takeaways
✔ Stop undervaluing your creative work - Your skills deserve the same compensation as technical roles
✔ Three-step framework to raise your rates - Self-worth evaluation, client value alignment, confident pricing
✔ Roam app - Revolutionary guided pricing tools and project management specifically for freelancers
✔ Diversity breeds innovation - Building inclusive creative communities isn't just right—it's smart business
✔ Collective rise is possible - When freelancers unite against underpricing, the entire industry benefits
From Meta to Mission: Kim's Journey to Empower Freelancers
Kim Price didn't just stumble into entrepreneurship — she came with purpose. After studying graphic design and advertising, Kim worked at several agencies before landing at Meta for five years. This corporate experience gave her critical insights into running a business while maintaining creative integrity.
When tech layoffs hit, Kim had already launched Anchor, her creative agency with a powerful mission: connecting minority-led startups with diverse creative talent.
"I started that agency because I did not see enough people that look like me coming in and out of the doors," Kim explains.
But something was still missing in the freelance ecosystem. Administrative headaches, pricing confusion, and endless email chains were draining creative energy across the board.
"I got tired of opening Google sheets and trying to put together P&Ls and I got tired of trying to google like, 'Oh, how much does this cost?' or 'How much should I charge a client?'"
This frustration birthed Roam, an app designed to revolutionize how freelancers manage their businesses and price their services.
The $20 Logo Problem: Why Platforms Like Fiverr Are Undercutting Your Worth
Let's talk about those budget platforms. While Fiverr and Upwork serve a purpose, they've created a race to the bottom for creative pricing.
Kim explains the fundamental problem:
"For an American client or brand to go on Fiverr/Upwork, they're going to see a ton of ranges in pricing. They're going to see that $25 logo and be cool, dandy, happy that they have options, but sad that now I have to drop my price to 20 bucks just to make something happen."
The Platform Problem: A Comparison
Platform | Commission % | Price Perception | Long-Term Impact |
Fiverr/Upwork | 10-20% | Race to bottom | Devalues creative work |
Freelancer Websites | 0-10% | Mid-range | Limited control |
Direct Client Work | 0% | Value-based | Client education required |
Roam (Coming Soon) | TBA | Value-first | Guided pricing with confidence |
Add to this the hefty commissions these platforms take (10-20%), and you're left with pennies for hours of creative work.
"Why? You know, we're doing the work. We're putting in the time. And to me, it doesn't make sense."
The Three-Step Framework to Getting Paid What You're Worth
How do you break the cycle of undercharging? Kim offers this powerful three-step approach:
1. Evaluate Your Self-Worth First
Everything starts with your own perception of value. Kim compares it to dating:
"You could get crumbs from some dude, but is that really what you want?"
The first step requires honest self-reflection:
💭 Do you believe your work deserves premium pricing?
💭 Are you confident enough to turn down low-paying projects?
💭 Have you internalized the "starving artist" mindset?
2. Understand Your Client's Values
Kim visualizes this step as a Venn diagram — finding the sweet spot where your values and your client's values overlap.
"Being able to say - I get you on a deep level, on a nuance level. I'm not faking it. I want to understand you and I do understand you."
This deeper understanding transforms transactional relationships into partnerships built on mutual respect.
3. Learn to Say "No" with Confidence
Perhaps the most powerful tool in your pricing arsenal is the ability to walk away. Kim admits that while the money might be tempting, saying no to misaligned clients attracts the right opportunities.
"Yes, that money would be nice. I would like it. Don't get me wrong. But if I take that money from that person, it's going to bring in more people like them."
Standing firm creates a positive cycle of attracting value-aligned clients who respect your worth.
Roam: The App Set to Transform Freelance Pricing
Kim and her two female co-founders are building Roam to solve the most persistent pain points freelancers face.
"What's special about Roam is that we're taking into account everything—we're taking into account what software you're using, where you live, where your client lives, your past clients, your education."
Unlike generic pricing calculators, Roam offers:
📊 Nuanced pricing guidance based on multiple factors
🚨 Alerts when you're underpricing your work
🤝 Client and project management in one place
💬 Centralized review processes (goodbye endless email chains!)
"If you are undercutting yourself, we'll tell you. We'll be like, 'Hey, sis. Love you, but you got this, you can do it.'"
Building Diverse Creative Communities: Where Magic Happens
As a Black female entrepreneur, Kim has experienced both sides of the diversity conversation—from being tokenized at a major agency during Black History Month to seeing overly exclusionary practices.
"For me, it's a tricky balance at times, but having that diversity and having diverse communities is really where magic happens."
Why diversity matters for female entrepreneurs:
✓ Fresh perspectives lead to innovative solutions
✓ Different cultural backgrounds bring nuanced understanding
✓ Varied life experiences create richer creative work
✓ Inclusive communities attract more diverse clients
"It's where ideas come alive. It's where things are added on and built on and torn apart and redone."
The Collective Rise: A Call to Action for Creative Entrepreneurs
The most powerful message Kim shares is her vision for a united creative community:
"I know I keep going back to the $20 logo, but if we collectively make a stand and say, like, we know our work is worth just as much as an engineer's work... there's no difference between being a creative brain or a technical brain."
This isn't just wishful thinking —it's a strategic approach to industry transformation.
"We can collectively raise the prices. We can collectively rise up. We can collectively show the world that you don't have to be broke to be a creative."
Remembering Your Worth While Growing Your Business
Kim's parting wisdom comes from a lesson learned the hard way. For the first two years running Anchor, she focused so much on creating opportunities for others that she forgot about herself.
"One of the biggest failures and learning lessons is, you know, you can be generous, you can be kind, whether that's the clients or the people you work with or the people in your community and your family, but at the same time, you also have to remember that you are worth paying."
That balance — supporting others while valuing yourself — is the true secret to sustainable success as a female entrepreneur.
Ready to Rise Together?
Wanna join this movement of creative entrepreneurs who know their worth? Here's how:
Follow Kim Price on LinkedIn and check out Roam to stay updated on the app launch.
Join the Societygal Facebook Group for daily inspiration and connection with like-minded female entrepreneurs.
Subscribe to the Societygal YouTube channel to never miss an episode of the podcast with visionary guests like Kim.
Listen on Spotify for on-the-go inspiration during your busy entrepreneurial life.
The time for the collective rise is now — and it starts with you valuing your creative brilliance!
Drop a comment below: What's one step you're taking today to raise your rates and claim your worth?
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