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So a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to provide my rates for inputs for a directory of sorts.

I filled out the form with my rates and roles, then didn’t let myself think anymore about what I was typing and clicked submit. Just hit the button to send the form off into the digital ether.

Immediately I began to fret. Maybe my rates were too high. Maybe they’d not include my information, astounded by my audacity.

Two weeks later and I am still finding myself wringing my hands.

Why?

Why am I not willing to accept that my worth could be those numbers? Why am I convinced that I shouldn’t ask for my value to be high enough to sustain my work?

And when I look out at the things other writers (and creatives in general, for that matter) say about their rates I am seeing that same feeling reflected over and over.

Now, I know I’m not a rocket scientist or brain surgeon and certainly don’t mean to imply anything one way or another with my next statement, so bear with me a moment.

Specialists, brain surgeons, subject matter experts, highly skilled engineers (and so on) don’t hesitate for a moment when providing the cost to employ them. They know their skill set is valuable and they ask for their worth.

And they get paid what they ask for.

As a creative we are highly skilled individuals in our specific areas. There are people who prefer a skilled creative to write the words, design the logos, build the websites, rather than do it themselves. Sometimes it’s even just a matter of convenience and other times it is because they just need a specific skill set they don’t otherwise have available.

But the point is that those creative skills are needed.

And … AND … you have a right to charge your worth to pay your bills.

Because, hey, starving artists should be an outdated concept.

Comfortably eating and having a roof over your head should be the new rage.