How to price your work, pitch clients who actually reply, and avoid the three mistakes that keep freelancers underpaid. Free value from the team behind Tomohi’s 1-on-1 mentorship.
Move away from random hourly rates. Pick one of these two proven formulas.
Formula A: The minimum hourly baseline
Don’t quote hourly rates based on guesswork. Calculate your true cost of doing business:
Hourly Rate = (Desired Monthly Income + Monthly Business Overhead) ÷ Billable Hours per Month
Real-world example: you want to net $2,000 per month, you spend $200 on software and bills, and you target 80 billable hours per month. ($2,000 + $200) ÷ 80 = $27.50 per hour. That is your floor, never quote below it.
Formula B: Value-based project pricing (recommended)
Charge based on the outcome and value delivered to the client, not just the time spent.
Project Price = Base Project Cost (Hours × Rate) + Value Markup (20% to 50%)
Tomohi rule of thumb: if a project generates $5,000 in new business for your client, charging $1,000 is a bargain for them, even if it only takes you 10 hours to complete.
Part 2: The cold pitch that gets replies
For Instagram DMs, email, or LinkedIn. Keep it short, personalized, and outcome-focused.
1
The hook and complimentProve you actually know their business. Name something specific they did.
2
One gap plus free valuePoint out one small improvement they can make right now, and give it away.
3
A low-friction call to actionAsk for a quick chat, not a sale.
Copy-and-paste pitch template
Subject: Quick idea for [Client Company Name]’s [Design / Content / Strategy]
Hi [Client Name],
Loved your recent [post / campaign / project], the [specific detail you liked] was great!
While looking at your [Instagram profile / website / portfolio], I noticed a quick opportunity to [improve visual branding / boost conversion rate / optimize social reach] by [one simple, actionable tip].
I created a quick 2-minute mockup of how this could look for [Client Company Name].
Would you be open to seeing it? No strings attached, just thought it might help your current growth!
Best, [Your Name] [Your specialty, e.g. Freelance Graphic Designer]
The top 3 mistakes freelancers make
1
Underpricing to win dealsCompeting on price attracts difficult clients. Compete on value and communication.
2
Sending generic, mass-copied pitchesClients ignore templates that aren’t personalized. Every message should prove you looked.
3
No clear portfolioClients buy proof, not promises. Show real outcomes, not skill lists.
Ready to turn your skills into paying clients?
Technical skill is only half the battle. Knowing how to price your work, build a standout portfolio, and pitch with confidence is what actually builds a career. At Tomohi, we replace passive online courses with live 1-on-1 mentorship from vetted industry experts.
Why learn on Tomohi?
Tailored 1-on-1 mentorship, built around your portfolio and your goals
Pay as you learn: no subscriptions, flexible session packages in the app
Market-ready outcomes, focused on real skills and client acquisition
