Freelancers get stuck between wanting to look professional and protecting their pricing power. Welcome back to another Ask Emily Anything episode — my mini-series where I tackle your real freelancer questions. Today’s question came in a DM from Adam, who’s in corporate strategic communications, and he asked a good one: “When quoting a price for a potential client, do you prefer giving one total figure or itemized pricing?”

Listen to learn more about:

The psychology behind pricing and why showing “too much math” can backfire
How to balance transparency and authority so you can educate your clients without giving them negotiation ammo
Structuring your proposals for clarity and confidence (including the exact phrasing I use when presenting pricing)
When itemized pricing actually makes sense, and a few exceptions to the rule

If you’ve ever struggled with proposals, worried about sounding too expensive, or wondered how transparent you should be, tune in. I’m sharing what works in the real world and how to stop clients from treating your proposal like a takeout menu.

Because remember: you’re not selling tasks, you’re offering a strategic solution. The right clients will always say yes to value.

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Links Mentioned in the Show:

FREE live training: 7 Ways to Land Clients as a Freelancer. Join us on October 15 to learn real strategies freelancers are using right now to book clients, market their skills, and grow their businesses. No more guessing how to land clients. Grab your seat here!
Got a burning question about freelancing, digital marketing, or navigating this wild business journey? Ask Emily Anything here: https://www.speakpipe.com/unicornsunite
Join Our Digital Marketer's Workgroup: a tight-knit community of freelancers and get access to behind-the-scenes conversations, support, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, you'll benefit from advanced trainings, networking opportunities, and exclusive job leads. Apply at marketersworkgroup.com

Related Pricing Episodes:

More Ask Emily Episodes:

Question Submitted by Adam:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamthepio

Connect with Emily:

3 ways we can work together:

Need to build your digital marketing skills and set up solid workflows so you can confidently put yourself out there for freelance work? Get on the waitlist for the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School where you'll learn in-demand marketing implementation skills to launch or grow your work-from-home business. I also share job leads directly with students, making this a true gateway to flexible, meaningful freelance work. Ready to get started sooner? You can jump into the self-study program right now.
Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you'll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you're ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I'll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.

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