As of today, I am officially a little more expensive.

Not Scrooge-McDuck-swimming-pool-full-of-gold-doubloons expensive. Just, deep-breath-half-smile-damn-straight expensive.

As a freelancer, setting rates is a tricky tightrope act.

I thought I’d use this Momentous Occasion to share my philosophy on M.O.N.E.Y. The green stuff. Or, if you live outside the USA, the blue / pink / purple / yellow / silver / gold stuff (so jealous of your rainbow currency, by the way).

So, why should you raise your rates?

:: Because you’re worth it.

My trajectory, as an example: I sharpened my promotional skillz at a public broadcasting powerhouse — and continue to freelance for them during crunch times. I’m wrangling communications for elite pro-bloggers, like Danielle LaPorte and Gala Darling. I’m on a retainer with an award-winning marketing agency. My 1:1 clients and workshop groupies are full of radiant praise. In short: I’m gooooood. And by compensating myself appropriately, I’ll only get gooder.

:: Because your dance card is full.

To paraphrase my career coach & comrade Michelle Ward:

“There should always be a segment of the population who can’t afford you.”

My “whoa, nelly” moment: earlier this summer, there was a 3-week period that almost snuffed my candle. Too many clients on the roster. Too many micro-projects with endless revisions. Every day was deadline after deadline — and I was burning out. At first I berated myself — why couldn’t I keep up the pace? I had gotten my wish, after all. Puh-lenty of work! But then it hit me: like, uh, maybe I’m too cheap. Yeah. Clarity.

:: Because you’re socially-conscious.

Higher rates, to solve social problems? Kinda counter-intuitive, right? After all, wouldn’t cheaper be better, so more people can afford to hire me? Nope. By raising my rates, I can “pay myself” for pro bono work. Like speaking at a crisis intervention center for Native American women. Or volunteering at a vocational clinic for homeless ladies + gents. Or taking on the occasional cash-strapped / terror-stricken branding baby. Oh, and mo’ money in my pocket means I can give lavishly to causes that resonate with me — like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD.

:: Because money is freedom.

Freedom means energy. Energy means momentum. And momentum means digital products that help hundreds, not dozens. Energy to captivate and connect with my growing virtual audience. Freedom to travel, to get inspired, to unplug and juice up. Freedom to do more than tappity-tap-tap at a laptop for 12 hours a day. Electricity to GET EXCITED AND MAKE THINGS.

I hope y’all are charging what you’re worth. Don’t make me come after you with a spikey stick. Yeowch.

Oh, and if you’re curious to scope out my new rate scale, it’s ovah here. At least ’til I decide to get pricier.