Why Charging More Makes You More Hirable (Not Less)

A few years ago, I got completely caught up in the rat race. As a professional musician, I was grateful and readily accepted any gig offer that came my way. I never asked any questions, I always said yes.

“A gig’s a gig,” I would tell myself, feeling oddly proud of my insane and unsustainable workload. I had zero regard for whether I actually had the time, energy, or bandwidth to take on yet another job. I worked every single day, sometimes 15 hours a day, and by the end of it all, I was utterly exhausted. Coming from a family of workaholics, working yourself to the point of collapse was seen as noble. It was very much the way to go.

I’m sure many of you can guess where this is going. After 7 years of living by the code of “any work is good work,” burnout came to visit, and it took me the best part of 2 years to recover.

Lesson learned.

The Shift

Believe me when I say how scary it is to be self-employed and, for the most part, have no idea where your next paycheck will come from. “Make hay while the sun shines” and all that jazz. I hear you.

But working yourself to death is not only unsustainable, it also means you’re not giving the best of yourself – to your clients or to your own life.

At the peak of my “busy” period, I wasn’t thriving, I was scattered. My energy was split between a ba-zillion projects and bands, and nothing and no one was getting my full attention.

There’s a distinct difference between being busy and being productive. Busy fools you into thinking you’re progressing, but really, you’re stuck on a hamster wheel, and at some point, your body will force you to stop.

Once I made some radical changes, my life improved quickly. And it wasn’t just better for me, it became richer for everyone around me too.

Levelling Up

When I started charging more, everything began to shift.

My Own Energy Changed
I showed up differently when I felt properly valued. I had the time and space to fully commit to each project and give it the attention it deserved.

Higher Rates Signal Confidence
Charging more tells potential clients that you are experienced, capable, and trustworthy. It reassures them that they’re in safe hands.

The Myth of “Lower Price = More Work”
In reality, lower prices often attract indecisive or budget-stretched clients. When I raised my rates, I began working more consistently with people who valued the process, as well as the outcome.

People don’t just invest in services – they invest in people they trust, and your pricing is an integral part of that message.

What a Client Wants

When someone hires you, they’re not just paying for your skill, they’re trying to avoid a bad experience.

Many clients have already been burned. They’ve worked with people who were unreliable, slow to respond, or delivered work that didn’t meet expectations. So when they see higher rates, they don’t necessarily think expensive, they think reliable. For many clients, paying more isn’t a risk, it’s a way of reducing one.

When to Raise Your Prices

This is something I get asked a lot. And yes, everyone has to start somewhere. Early on, gaining experience is key. But the problem arises when you don’t evolve your pricing as you grow. If you’re gaining experience, working with established artists, improving your setup, or expanding what you offer, your rates should reflect that.

Other signs it might be time to raise your prices:

• Clients are saying “yes” very quickly
• You’re consistently booked or turning work away
• You feel stretched, undervalued, or resentful

That last one is important. If your rate makes you feel undervalued, it will eventually show up in your energy and your work.

Your Permission Slip

If you’ve been cringing while reading this, I get it. I’ve been there too, and if it’s permission you’re looking for, here it is:

You are allowed to want a sustainable career.
You are allowed to rest.
And you are absolutely allowed to be paid in a way that supports both.

Final Thoughts

People don’t always hire the cheapest option, they hire the one they trust not to waste their time…and more often than not, that person is the one who values their own work enough to charge accordingly.