Talking about money shouldn’t feel like defusing a bomb, but for many freelancers, it absolutely does. Talking rates and budgets can be equal parts exciting and stomach-knotting. Yet money talk is one of the most important skills you can build as an independent professional.  

The good news? You can get good at this. Really good. And you don’t need to morph into a hard-nosed negotiator or rehearse a monologue in the mirror (though we won’t judge if you do).

Below are practical and repeatable ways to talk about money with confidence, plus a few insights on how Wripple helps take some of that pressure off of you when you’re working with clients through our platform.

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1. Start With Confidence, Not Apology

Freelancers often fall into the trap of “softening the ask:”

• “My rate is normally around…”

• “I think I’d charge…”

• “If that seems okay…?”

Friendly reminder: you’re not inconveniencing anyone. You are a professional offering a valuable service. Money is simply part of the conversation.

Instead, try:

• “For this scope of work, my rate is…”

• “Projects like this typically fall in the range of…”

• “Here’s the investment required to achieve what we discussed.”

Clear. Neutral. Confident. Not a single apology required.

If you need help figuring out what your rate should be in the first place, Wripple has a helpful guide here: https://www.wripple.com/insights/setting-your-freelancer-rate-a-5-step-approach

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2. Be Ready with Your Range

Most clients want to understand any potential flexibility in your rate. A range helps you frame possibilities while protecting your floor (the lowest number you’re comfortable with).

Think of it this way:

• Your floor = “Below this, I’m losing money or resenting the job.”

• Your ideal = Your target that feels great and sustainable.

• Your stretch = More than you’d ask for, but still totally fair.

A range transforms the conversation from “yes/no” to “what’s possible?”

Here’s the key: your floor is for you, not the client.
To avoid anchoring the conversation too low, your client-facing range should usually start at your ideal and extend toward your stretch.

That way, you signal flexibility without undercutting your value, and you leave room to adjust scope or deliverables if needed.

“When establishing my freelancer rate for a new project, I start by showing a potential range in my rate, but also subtly including my experience. A go-to line would be, "For the past few years, I’ve typically charged between $xx and $xx per hour for similar work.” - Leigh Cook, Project Manager, Copy Editor, QA

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3. Shift the Conversation Back to the Scope

If a client balks at your rate, resist the urge to drop your price on the spot. Instead, re-center the conversation around the value and the deliverables.

Try:

• “If that budget feels tight, we can adjust the scope to fit what’s realistic.”

• “Here are two versions of the project, one at your budget, and one with the full recommended scope.”

This keeps the relationship positive and positions you as a collaborative partner, not a discount machine.

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4. Pause When You Name a Number (Seriously)

One of the oldest tricks in the book… because it works.

Say your number. Then stop.

Not:

• “My rate for this is $95/hour, but I can come down if needed!”

• “The whole project is $6,000; does that work for you?”

Just state it. Let the silence work. It signals confidence, and it gives the client room to respond without feeling pressured.

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5. Let Wripple Do Some of the Heavy Lifting

If you’re part of Wripple’s talent community, one of the great perks is that you don’t have to negotiate your rate with clients directly. We handle those conversations for you so you can stay focused on scoping the work, not managing the money dance.

Also: most projects on the platform list the rate or budget upfront, which means:

• Fewer surprises

• No awkward “Sooo… what’s your budget?” conversations

• No wasted effort on reaching out regarding projects that don’t align with your minimums

You still get to own your value; we just help make the process a whole lot less stressful.

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6. Remember: Money Conversations Aren’t Personal

This one is big.

A client negotiating your rate doesn’t mean:

• They don’t value you

• They think you’re too expensive

• You need to justify your worth

Negotiation is simply part of how businesses operate. When you detach the emotion from the conversation, you show up clearer, calmer, and more in control.

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Final Thought

Talking about money is a skill, not a personality trait. You don’t need to be naturally assertive or magically fearless. You just need practice, clarity, and confidence in the value you bring.

And if you’re working through Wripple, you don’t have to do it alone. We’re right there with you, helping smooth out the tough parts so you can do the work you’re best at.