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Are you a project manager or someone who just needs to hire a freelancer? Freelancers usually do work at bargain prices, but you might not be getting the best price you could be getting. Learn effective negotiating techniques to save you money.

Ask for a discount. Ask for a discount. Ask for a discount.

This is always the hardest part in negotiation. Many fear asking the question because they’re uncertain what the

freelancer would say. There’s nothing to be afraid of; the most the freelancer can say is, "Sorry, this is the best price I can give you". Never settle for a price without asking for a discount.

Asking the Right Question

Don’t Ask a "Can" Question

When asking for a discount, don’t ask a "can" question. This gives the freelancer an option to say, "no". Instead, ask a "what" question that will force the freelancer to give you a number instead of a yes or no.

Asking a "Can" question:

Buyer: Can you give me a discount?

Freelancer: No, the price is already good.

Asking a "What" question:

Buyer: What is the best price you can give me?

Freelancer: $100 is the best price I can give. The project is intense and it’s not something I normally do.

Although the freelancer didn’t offer a discount, at least the freelancer gave an explanation. Asking a "what" question will increase the probability that the freelancer will give you a discount. If not, you’ll at least get a better explanation.

Ask as if the Freelancer’s Supposed to Give You a Discount

Ask the question in a way that will make the freelancer feel that he/she is doing what is reasonable rather than a method that makes the freelancer feel that he/she is being generous. For example:

Asking if the freelancer can be generous :

Buyer: What is the best price you can give me?

Freelancer: $100 is the best price I can give. The project is intense and it’s not something I normally do.

Asking if the freelancer can settle for a more reasonable price:

Buyer: What is the best price you can settle for?

Freelancer: Well, the project is intense and it’s not something I normally do, but I can settle for $80.

Asking what the freelancer can settle for compared to asking what the freelancer can give you makes a big difference. Asking the freelancer for the best price he/she can give will get you the price the freelancer wants to make. Asking the freelancer for the best price he/she can settle for will get you the minimum price the freelancer expects to make.

Countering the Replies

"Okay, I will give it to you for $x.":

If a freelancer gives you an honest reply, ask for another discount. Say that it is still too high or that you were looking for something lower. If the discount isn’t much, let the freelancer know. For example, if the project originally was $100, and the freelancer gives you a discount of only $10, say, "That’s not much of a discount. Can you give a more reasonable discount.". Now that may sound aggressive, but until the freelancer gives you signs that he/she is getting angry at your bargaining, you still have room to negotiate.