Freelancers are human, too.

When a freelancer tries to grow their business, they are just human beings saying they need more in life.

If you can afford to pay more to a freelancer and they are doing a good job, pay them more.

I run a freelance business named MateoMelgar.com since 2016.

Many things have passed since those early days.

• I got married

• I had two kids

• I finished college

• I bought a home

• My expenses grew tremendously

• I divorced

• My expenses doubled

• My beautiful kids are healthy and growing

• I decided to reconstruct my life

I have encountered clients who only see freelancers as an easy way to get and not receive.

They want to pay you as little as possible and like to have the option to get rid of you when things aren't ideal for them, regardless of your personal situation.

There is nothing inherently wrong with that, except that behind that transactional relationship, freelancers are still human.

They have very few business expenses but, in most cases, many personal expenses.

Bills, debt, emergencies, dreams.

They have to cover it all with the money you pay on your invoices.

I have met clients who feel they are doing you a favor by paying. 🤦‍♂️ 

That is not the case!

☠️ Some others don't even pay you at all. ☠️ 

I have also met great people who understand or try to understand the person behind the Slack conversation.

One of them is Damon Chen, the founder of Testimonial and PDF.ai

I won't write much about his example because I know he is a simple man, and he would like me to be brief.

Damon:

1. Pays well and always on time

2. Tips you on every invoice

3. Gives you the tools to succeed in his projects

4. Gave me a bonus for a new laptop (he didn't have to)

5. Tries to understand personal situations and provide support

I actually had the lowest time of my life during my separation and divorce.

My business suffered because I was suffering.

I saw clients leave.

One asked me for a $1100 refund instead of trying to work with me.

The feeling of hope that I felt when, instead of letting me go due to my poor performance, Damon offered me more work was unknown to me.

I am not surprised at all with his success.

He is living by the laws of abundance, and I'm sure he will keep receiving the blessings of that.

Thank you, Damon. The world needs more people like you.

So does the indie maker industry.

And so, after analyzing my finances and my "enough number," I have concluded that I need to add an extra $5k per month to my MRR.

I thought about many options to get this extra money.

I've decided, however, that my next step is landing my first $ 5,000 per-month client.

It sounds extremely doable for me after so many years in the industry, so I will just go for it and keep you posted when I get there.

This is my way of telling God and the Universe that I'm ready to receive higher blessings.

I'm happy to hear what you think about this (good or bad) and reply to your comments.