10 Signs You’re Ready to Raise Your Rates

Are you a STEM consultant, medical writer, data analyst, or scientific strategist who’s built a business from your expertise but still pricing like it’s a side hustle? Scoot on over, friend. Let me hold your hand while I say this. If you’re undercharging, overdelivering, and running on caffeine and calendar chaos… you’re likely under-valuing your impact. And you deserve better than that!

In this post, we’ll walk through 10 clear signs you’re ready to raise your rates:

1. You’re Booked Out but Burnt Out

2. Your Clients Are Winning Big Thanks to You

3. You Have a Waitlist (or You're Turning People Away)

4. You’ve Outgrown Your Starter Clients

5. You’re Overdelivering Like It’s a Personality Trait

6. You’ve Invested Heavily in Your Growth

7. Your Rates Haven’t Changed in Over a Year

8. You’re Getting "Yes!" Too Fast

9. You’re Resentful (Even If You Don’t Say It Out Loud)

10. You Know You’re Ready But Are Waiting for Permission

How to Raise Your Rates (Without Burning Bridges)

1. You’re Booked Out but Burnt Out

Meet Dr. Alicia, a PhD-trained microbiologist turned freelance scientific writer. Within 6 months of launching her business, she was fully booked. Great, right? Except she was clocking 60-hour weeks and barely scraping $5K/month. Alicia came to one of my VIP intensives and we did the math together: She was averaging $32/hour after edits, calls, and prep. No wonder she was tired.

If you’re booked solid but exhausted, you have a pricing problem. Raising your rates gives you breathing room and better clients who respect your process, boundaries, and brilliance.

Here's a sample email template to use:

Subject: Upcoming Changes to My Availability & Rates

Hi [Client Name],

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to support [project/topic] over the past few months. It’s been such a rewarding experience contributing to [specific result or initiative].

As my calendar continues to fill and my business evolves, I’m adjusting my rate structure to better reflect the depth of support I provide and to ensure I can continue delivering high-quality work with care and intention.

Starting [date], my updated rate for [service] will be [new rate or range]. If you'd like to lock in your next project at the current rate, I'm happy to reserve a slot before [cutoff date].

I’d love to continue working together and am happy to discuss how we can make this transition smooth.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

2. Your Clients Are Winning Big Thanks to You

Have you helped a client land a six-figure grant, publish in a top journal, or get acquired by a larger biotech? If your contribution played a role in that success, you're delivering transformational value. Value-based pricing is grounded in the outcome, not your input. You’re not selling “20 hours of editing.” You’re helping someone secure funding, change policy, or scale impact.

Here's a sample email template to use:

Subject: Reflecting Our Impact—Upcoming Rate Adjustment

Hi [Client Name],

I’ve truly enjoyed collaborating on [project name]. Seeing [specific result: e.g., “your publication accepted” or “your regulatory submission approved”] has been incredibly fulfilling.

As I reflect on the outcomes we’ve achieved together and the value of these results to your business, I’m making a few strategic shifts to my service model and pricing.

Beginning [date], my project rate for [specific service] will be [new rate]. This reflects the depth of strategy, research, and execution I bring to each engagement and aligns with current market benchmarks in our field.

I remain committed to delivering high-impact results and would be happy to discuss how we can structure future projects to align with your goals and budget.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

 

3. You Have a Waitlist (or You're Turning People Away)

If people DM or email you with "I know you’re busy, but can you squeeze me in?" That’s a sign of high demand and you should raise your rate before taking on more stress.

I spoke to a continuing medical education (CME) expert who was fully booked 3 months out. She was nervous to raise rates in a niche space but ultimately added a 25% increase. Not only did she fill her calendar faster, she cut her workload by 20%.

4. You’ve Outgrown Your Starter Clients

We all have them: those early clients who gave us a shot when our business was brand-new. But if you find yourself frustrated by nitpicky feedback, late payments, or clients who don’t see the value in your work now... it’s a sign your business has evolved.

Here's a sample email template to use:

Subject: Service Model + Rate Update

Hi [Client Name],

Thank you for the opportunity to work together. I’ve really appreciated the trust and collaboration over the past [X months/years].

As I continue to evolve my business, I’m making a few changes to better align with the type of strategic, high-impact work I’m now focusing on.

My service offerings and pricing will be updated starting [date]. This includes [short bullet list or summary of new offers or rates, if applicable].

If you'd like to book in at the current rate, I’m happy to reserve a final spot before the transition.

Please let me know how you'd like to proceed—I’m always happy to support in a way that feels aligned for both of us.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

5. You’re Overdelivering Like It’s a Personality Trait

Many of us in STEM were trained to over-prepare, over-research, and over-deliver just to be seen. But if you’re constantly adding extra analysis, extra revisions, extra time without extra pay? You’re subsidizing their success with your nervous system.

Raising your rates isn’t greedy. It’s finally matching the energy you already give.

6. You’ve Invested Heavily in Your Growth

Whether you’ve taken a marketing course, joined a mastermind, hired a coach, or upskilled your tech stack—that investment adds value to your work.

Here's a sample email template to use:

 Subject: Service & Rate Update

Hi [Client Name],

As part of my commitment to professional development, I’ve recently completed [name certifications, trainings, or relevant program] to deepen my ability to serve clients at a strategic level.

To reflect this expanded scope and the evolving nature of the work I do, I’ll be updating my rates for new projects as of [date].

For ongoing or returning clients, I’m offering a transition window at the current rate for any projects booked before [cutoff date].

Please let me know if you'd like to get something on the calendar, or if you have any questions.

Looking forward to continuing our collaboration,
[Your Name]

7. Your Rates Haven’t Changed in Over a Year

Your clients’ costs have gone up due to inflation. Software prices are rising. But your rates haven’t budged in 12+ months... it’s time to review them. And keep up that practice at least quarterly.

8. You’re Getting "Yes!" Too Fast

This one surprises people. If every prospect says yes immediately to your price, it may mean you’re undercharging. Pricing psychology shows us that a tiny bit of resistance signals premium positioning. No hesitation at all? It might feel like a deal and that’s not what you want.

You’re not a discount service. You’re a specialist. Price accordingly.

9. You’re Resentful (Even If You Don’t Say It Out Loud)

Resentment shows up in subtle ways. You take longer to respond. You dread the work. You second-guess every invoice. If that’s happening, it’s not always the client. It’s often the contract. Resentment is your nervous system’s way of saying: “We’re not okay with this exchange.”

Change the terms, or change the price. (Preferably both.)

We have some lawyer-vetted contract templates available in our shop. 

10. You Know You’re Ready But Are Waiting for Permission

The final sign is the most personal. You know you’re undercharging. You’ve read the posts. You’ve seen your peers charging double. You’ve done the math. But you’re waiting. Waiting for the perfect moment. For a client to say it. For a coach to confirm it.

Well friend, here’s your permission slip: You don’t need more evidence. You need 10 seconds of courage to send an email like the one below. You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to earn. You are allowed to rise.

Here's a sample email template to use:

Subject: Elevating My Services for Greater Impact

Hi [Client Name],

I wanted to share a quick update on my services and pricing. Over the past year, I’ve refined my frameworks, deepened my expertise, and restructured my offers to reflect the full scope of what I bring to each client engagement.

Beginning [date], my rates will be increasing to [new rate]. This shift allows me to continue delivering high-quality, personalized support while expanding the impact I can make for my clients.

You’re welcome to lock in one more project at the current rate before [cutoff date], and I’m happy to explore options that fit your upcoming needs.

Thank you again for your trust and partnership. It means a lot.

All my best,
[Your Name]

How to Raise Your Rates (Without Burning Bridges)

Start with new clients first. Frame it as a reflection of your growth. Offer current clients a grace period if needed.

If you’re scared? Practice saying your new rate aloud. Put it on a sticky note. Make eye contact with yourself saying it in the mirror. You can do this, I believe in you.