Of course, the best way to keep on top of your industry is to network. Share information with your colleagues at your networking lunches and coffees. This is powerful! If you work for other people, make sure these conversations happen off-site. (Etiquette rule for the self-employed: when you are inquiring about someone’s rates, keep it one-on-one. Do not inquire in front of a group of people. That way they have time to let you know what it includes and how they work. Remember, our rates are not secret!)
Of course, the “market rate” can and does change, and you must stay in touch with this number. (This number is generally more stable for service providers than for those who sell products.) Tune in to what you can earn. Knowing this number is one more step towards commanding it.
By Mikelann Valterra, Founder of the Women’s Earning Institute
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