There's an old saying that goes, "time is money." And while that may be true for some people, it's especially true for freelancers.
Freelancers are in the business of selling their time. They're paid for the hours they work, and they need to be able to justify their rates to clients.
But what about the time spent thinking?
Yes, thinking. It may not seem like it, but thinking is a critical part of the creative process. And it's something that freelancers should be charging for.
Here's why:
Thinking time is valuable
The hours spent thinking about a project are just as valuable as the hours spent working on it. In fact, they may even be more valuable.
Thinking time is a necessary part of the creative process.
Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. It requires time and space to incubate. And that means that thinking time is a necessary part of the creative process.
Thinking time is often underestimated.
Many freelancers underestimate the amount of time they spend thinking about their work. They assume that they can just sit down and start working without any prior thought or planning. But the reality is that most creative projects require some amount of thinking time before work can begin.
Thinking time is worth paying for.
Just because thinking time isn't billable doesn't mean it's not worth paying for. In fact, many clients are more than happy to pay for the thinking time that goes into a project. They understand that it's a necessary part of the creative process and that it can result in a better final product.
Thinking time is a valuable commodity.
As a freelancer, your time is a valuable commodity. And that means that you should be compensated for the time you spend thinking about your work. If you're not charging for your thinking time, you're not valuing your own time properly.
Thinking time is an investment.
Investing in thinking time is an investment in your future. The more time you spend thinking about your work, the better your work will be. And that means that clients will be more likely to hire you again in the future.
Thinking time is a necessity.
Just like any other business expense, thinking time is a necessity. If you want to be a successful freelancer, you need to invest in your business. And that includes investing in the time you spend thinking about your work.
Thinking time is an essential part of the creative process.
If you're not charging for thinking time, you're not valuing the creative process. And that's a mistake. The creative process is essential to your success as a freelancer. It's what allows you to come up with new ideas and find new ways to solve problems.
Thinking time is worth its weight in gold.
Literally. If you're not charging for thinking time, you're leaving money on the table. And that's not a good business decision.
When you charge for thinking time, you're valuing your own time and expertise. You're showing clients that you're worth more than just the hours you spend working. And you're making an investment in your future as a freelancer.
If you're not charging for thinking time, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to increase your rates and earn more money. So start valuing your own time and expertise today. Your bank account will thank you for it.
