Not all designers are the same! And that's a fact!
To be honest, today's designers can generally be classified into four groups:
Well-paid and highly valued designers seem like a myth to beginners who are just trying to break through the crowd and achieve success. Your first thought when you hear about this category is probably: "You must be a real expert to become part of this myth!" But the truth is, many designers who made it there have no idea how they did.
Some were talented, others got lucky, but all of them worked hard to break out of the first three categories.
#1 DEVELOP YOUR OWN PRICING STRATEGY
It’s okay to rely on other designers’ rates when you’re just starting your freelance journey, but over time, experience will teach you how to handle this crucial aspect. Reevaluate the value of your work before making decisions, and base your pricing on what you truly believe your worth is.
A solid pricing strategy is a carefully planned list of rates for the various products and services you offer. Guesswork won't help here, and you might also make a mistake if you set your rates based solely on how much you want to earn monthly.
Here are a few questions you should answer when developing your strategy:
#2 MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW FAR YOU’VE COME
There’s no room for ego in the design world—at least not until you’ve confirmed that your skills surpass those of your competitors. Reviewing their work is a great idea, as it helps you understand your true market position and whether you can charge above-average rates.
Ask yourself:
Keep in mind that professional awareness plays a huge role in your pricing strategy—it’s the only reasonable way to justify your rate increase to a client.
#3 STOP CHASING COMPETITORS—CHASE CLIENTS
Instead of hovering over your competitors trying to knock them down, redirect your energy: focus on the people who are actually able and willing to pay for your work—and convince them to do so. Sometimes this means raising your rates, sometimes lowering them, but the more selective you are, the more it works in your favor.
Eventually, you’ll be ready to talk numbers and sell quality the way it deserves to be sold. Be bold about what you offer and don’t let fear of losing a client stop you from saying no if they’re too demanding.
You probably weren’t confident about this in the beginning, but that’s how the design world works: if you fight for scraps, you’ll get scraps—so let the well-paid, quality projects be your “scraps.”
#4 VALUE VS. SERVICE BALANCE
You can choose to fully focus on service, but that means you’re giving up the idea of becoming a specialist in something, because you’ll always be chasing what clients want—not what you want. You can give clients everything they ask for, but you’ll never create truly outstanding work with them. That’s where the pursuit of uniqueness begins!
Let’s be clear: you know how to design (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article). So why keep trying to prove it to clients over and over? Why not make the most of what you already offer by tackling real challenges and problems to grow stronger and more confident? Next time a client comes to you, don’t ask what they want. Tell them what they need!
You might think people don’t like to be told what to do , but I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t make a smarter decision for their business if guided well. Clients are just people—and like everyone, they love when someone does the “thinking” part for them.
So what should you do? Figure out what the market wants and learn how to respond to it.
#5 GROWTH
It may sound surprising, but do you know how many designers skipped this step? They sold themselves, created a masterpiece, made money—and never grew again.
You might ask: “Why should they?”
Your client is your most important asset. Quality depends entirely on their feedback, and income on their return. That’s the end of the story.
So ask yourself: are your clients in your email list? Are you sending updates about your discounts and new services? If not, why should they hire you again?
You need to grow not just as a professional, but also as a businessperson. If you don’t, clients will eventually drift away. Keep reminding them that you exist—and of the value you bring.
#6 YOUR PRESENCE AFTER PROJECT DELIVERY
Post-project support is rarely easy and takes up valuable time that could be spent on new projects. That’s why it’s often out of reach for freelance designers—so only offer ongoing support if it’s been clearly agreed upon in advance.
Difficult or not, post-sale service is key for many freelance designers, especially when it comes to building a solid reputation and earning trust.
Moreover, support can be a good source of extra income during slow periods. Clients will definitely appreciate it—and be more likely to return to you.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Being a good designer means a lot. Being a great professional—means even more. Remember, it all depends on you and how you approach your career. If you're aiming for growth and recognition, just set your goal and move confidently toward it.