Everyone undercharges when they start out. And it's not because they're bad at math.
It's because they think any triple-digit hourly rate will be scoffed at. That they'll scare off their precious first few clients.
You create a complex story in your head about what the client thinks you are worth, and it is often nowhere near how they actually feel.
Going low cost seems like a situation where everyone will be happy, but here's what actually happens when you start too low:
You get slammed with work → You feel poorly compensated → You resent your clients → You burn out.
The fix? Nudge your rate up until you start getting some sticker shock. THEN you'll know you're close to your upper limit.
I know this sounds crazy, but getting a lot of yeses early on can be a bad thing. To me, it means you're leaving some money on the table. Early no's can be scary and appear to be validation that you are in over your head.
It's all a part of the ongoing reality that not every client is right for you.
So, start higher than feels comfortable. You can always choose to be negotiated down.
But you can rarely renegotiate the value your client assigns to you.
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