Why you struggle with pricing as a freelance grant writer with Rachel Waterman
This episode, Rachel Waterman explains the common pricing mistakes grant writers make, how to use data in your pricing strategy, and how to price your grant writing services.
Rachel is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants and has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience.
Rachel explains how fairly grant professionals feel about their grant writing prices, how valued they feel, and data to review your pricing strategy.
She also talks about the information you need to have a productive grant writing business, how to get experience as a new grant writer, and the problem with giving discounts to your clients.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The different pricing models grant writers use.
- The prevalence of women in freelance grant writing.
- The information you need to have a productive grant writing business.
- Common pricing pitfalls grant writers fall into.
- The problem with giving discounts to your clients.
- What to consider when calculating the rate you charge for grant writing services.
- How to use data to review your pricing strategy.
- How to get experience as a new grant writer without working for free.
About Rachel Waterman
Rachel Waterman has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience, is Grant Professional Certified (GPC), a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Approved Trainer, and an expert in grant management.
She holds a Master’s degree in community and economic development with a concentration in applied social research from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s degree in international studies from Barry University.
Her career has encompassed a broad spectrum of professional experiences, including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer, nonprofit executive director, community organizer, city master planner, researcher, and Mayor of the city of Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
Rachel is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants. She is responsible for client strategy, new program & budget development, data tracking systems, outcome measures, and data analysis. Rachel also oversees the GDS Professional Development Program and personally coaches GDS interns, fellows, and mentees.
Connect with Rachel Waterman:
Quotables:
- “If you’re not successful in your pricing, you’re not going to be successful in your business.”
- “More than a third of grant writers said they struggled to identify a fair price, and half struggled to charge a fair price.”
- “If you’re a new grant writer you don’t need to work for free to get experience. Go work for another grant writer as a subcontractor to get experience. Stop working for nonprofits for free.”
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Pricing your grant services correctly is the single-most critical factor in determining your business income. Are you confident in your pricing strategy? Are you being fairly compensated for your work? This critical research has been undertaken by GDS Grants and if you’re a contract grant professional, then your input is key to our collective know-how. Take the survey now, until March 1st at https://form.jotform.com/232882122549055
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!“
FREE RESOURCES
Download one of Grant Writing & Funding’s free resources to achieve, advance, & accelerate your funding skills.
