My Untitled Site
There's nothing here yet (well, except for this message), but clicking on the "+" button in the menu above should change that. Have fun! :)
Stop guessing what to charge.
Learn to price like it's math.
A practical guide to pricing your freelance work — with a base-rate formula, three pricing models, worked examples, and word-for-word scripts for quoting without flinching. Free.
Your rate isn't wrong. Your method is.
Most freelancers pick a rate based on what feels acceptable — somewhere between "too cheap to be credible" and "too expensive to get the job." That's not pricing. That's guessing with extra steps.
The result is projects that looked profitable and weren't, clients who pushed back and got a discount, and a nagging feeling that you're always leaving money on the table.
10 pages. No filler.
Every section is actionable. You can read it in 20 minutes and use it on your next quote.
Why freelancers underprice — and why "just charge more" doesn't work
The psychological patterns behind underpricing, and why confidence alone doesn't fix them. Pricing is a system problem, not a mindset problem.
The base-rate formula
A simple calculation that turns your income target, expenses, and available hours into a floor rate — the minimum you need to charge to sustain the business. If you're below this, you're losing.
Three pricing models — and when to use each
Hourly, project-based, and value-based pricing each work in different contexts. Learn how to choose the right one per client, not per habit.
Worked examples for three freelancer types
A copywriter, a designer, and a developer — real numbers, real projects, real pricing decisions. See how the formula applies to work that looks like yours.
Word-for-word scripts
Exactly what to say when quoting, when a client asks "can you go lower?", and when you need to hold the number without losing the project.
Pre-quote checklist
The scope factors most freelancers forget to price in — revisions, feedback rounds, research time, file formats, rush delivery. Check the list before you send any quote.
This guide is for you if
You're just starting out
You need a method for setting rates before you've built up enough experience to trust your instincts. The formula gives you a defensible starting point.
You've been freelancing for years
Your rates are based on what you've always charged, not on what the work actually costs you or what the market supports. It's time to recalculate.
You're tired of haggling
Every project becomes a negotiation, and you always move down. The scripts in this guide help you hold your number — or walk away cleanly.
You charge by the hour but hate it
Hourly pricing punishes you for being fast and experienced. The guide shows when to switch models and how to price a project without guessing at hours.
Get the guide. It's free.
Enter your email and it lands in your inbox in minutes. No signup fee, no catch.
Also from Orvale
Knowing how to price is step one. These tools help you track the work and run the business.
Orvale Freelance System
Your entire freelance business in one Notion workspace — clients, projects, invoices, time log, expenses, and a live dashboard.
Real Rate Tracker
Calculates your actual effective hourly rate — after admin, revisions, and unpaid prep. Most freelancers are making less than they think.
Questions
Is this actually free?
Yes. You enter your email, the guide is sent to your inbox. No payment, no trial, no subscription starts automatically.
What format is it?
A 10-page PDF, readable on any device. Formatted for easy reading — not a wall of text.
Will you send me other emails after?
Occasionally — new resources, updates from Orvale, that kind of thing. Nothing daily. Unsubscribe any time with one click.
What if I already charge decent rates?
The pre-quote checklist and scripts are still useful. Most experienced freelancers have the rate roughly right but leave money on the table in the quoting conversation.
Does the guide work for any type of freelancer?
Yes. The examples cover copywriting, design, and development — but the formula and models apply to any creative or knowledge-work freelancer.