Price It Smart

Your first paid projects will not command your full target rate, and they do not need to. Price them at 60-70% of your target: low enough to win work, high enough to attract serious clients. Avoid unpaid client work with deadlines, revisions, and stakeholders.

Self-directed samples are different from free client labor. Charge for real projects, then raise your rate the moment one succeeds. A finished result and a happy client are enough evidence to quote more next time; gradual increases feel natural to you and to clients.