I had this thought last night and decided to share it with this wonderful community. I'm sure that this will be helpful to one or two people.
As a person who renders services to people, it's easy to fall into the trap of being underpaid, especially when you're just starting out. I get it, those early days are all about building experience, expanding your portfolio, and getting your name out there. I’ve been there too, saying "yes" to every, even when the pay barely covered the effort I put in. But at some point, you realize that the hours, years, and expertise you've poured into your craft deserve better than bargain-bin rates.
There’s a difference between gaining experience and being undervalued. When you're just beginning, low pay might feel like a rite of passage. However, as your skills sharpen and your portfolio grows, so should your rates. You're no longer the novice who’s simply "trying things out." You've invested time, resources, and energy into becoming the skilled professional you are today, and that should reflect in what you charge.
Now, let's be clear, valuing yourself doesn’t mean inflating your rates unfairly or overcharging clients. It means recognizing your expertise and the worth of your services. Just as clients have the right to choose who they work with, you also have the right to choose the kind of clients you want to work with. Mutual respect is key. You’re not just “doing them a favor”, you’re providing value. And value deserves proper compensation.
One thing that has significantly helped me in setting boundaries and gaining respect as a professional is presenting my services with structure and professionalism. A great way to do this is by using invoices. If you're not already doing this, let me introduce you to Canva, an App that has simplified my invoicing process.
Here’s how you can create an invoice Using Canva:
Download and log into Canva: If you don’t already have an account, you can create one for free.
Search for Invoice Templates: In the search bar, type "Invoices".
Customize Your Template: Choose a template that aligns with your brand in regards to color, feel or even fonts. Then edit to add your brand logo, name, address and contact. It's also important that you number your invoices for bookkeeping purposes. Let's say you're a virtual assistant, you can use something like; Invoice No: VA 001
Don't forget to add the date you issued the invoice and the due-date for the invoice which will be the payment's due date.
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Itemize Your Services: List the services you provided, along with their individual costs. For example:
Logo Design (3 minutes) - $100
Scriptwriting (1 page) - $50
Video Editing (2 minutes) - $150
Sewing - $50
Materials Cost - $50
Include Payment Terms: Include your preferred payment method and deadline. For example: "Payment is due within 7 days of receipt; that is, the invoice, via bank transfer."
Download and Share: Once your invoice is fully edited to your taste, download it as a PDF and share it with your client via email or messaging platforms. You can also download as image if you want but PDF is more professional.
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Using invoices not only makes you look professional but also eliminates any ambiguity about payments. It’s a subtle yet effective way of saying, “I take my work seriously, and you should too.” And as a professional, you definitely should have a work email that carries your brand name. These are some subtle ways you can add a touch of professionality to your branding.
Learning to value your work is a journey, not a destination. Over time, I’ve realized that being underpaid isn’t just about the money, it’s about respect. If you’ve been undervaluing yourself, consider this your sign to stop. Create clear terms, present professional branding, and stand firm on the worth of your craft.
Your time, effort, and expertise deserve to be honored, not discounted. Remember, you’re not just selling a product or service, you’re sharing a piece of yourself, and that is priceless.
All images attached are mine.
if you'd like to use the template I used for my illustrations in this article, you can click on the link below 👇
Template Link
I hope you've found this helpful. Thank you for reading! :)