The Most Expensive Mistake Creators Make (and How to Fix It)
Underpricing might feel like the “humble” or “strategic” thing to do.
It’s not. It’s a trap.
Underpricing feels safe. Especially when you're starting out and you just want to get brand deals and keep work coming in. But here’s the truth: underpricing is a slow, silent killer of your business, your energy, and lastly, even your reputation.
Let’s break down why.
1. You Train Brands to See You as Low-Value
When you price yourself low, brands assume your work is low value. Not always consciously, but it happens. You set the tone. It becomes harder to raise your rates later because you've positioned yourself as the “budget option.”
“You teach people how to value you by how you value yourself.”
2. Cheap Clients Are Often the Worst Clients
The lower the price, the higher the drama. Brands who pay the least often demand the most. Why? Because they’re in scarcity mode. When someone’s stretched thin, they micromanage, nitpick, and don’t respect boundaries.
You don’t want these brands in your ecosystem. Even if it might be a brand you love.
3. Burnout Comes Fast When You’re Underpaid
Doing great work takes energy, creativity, and care. But when the money doesn’t reflect that effort, it becomes draining, fast. Resentment builds. You start rushing projects, cutting corners, or falling out of love with the work aka your content.
Sustainable pricing = sustainable energy.
4. You Cap Your Growth Potential
Every hour you’re working at a discounted rate is an hour you can’t spend improving your content, building your audience, or landing better brand deals. Low pricing keeps you stuck in survival mode instead of strategy mode.
5. It’s Not Just About You, It Hurts the Creator Economy
When creators underprice, it sets a false market standard. It teaches brands to expect premium work for bargain-bin prices. It undermines the entire industry and makes it harder for everyone to thrive.
Raising your rates isn’t selfish. It’s almost responsible.
Every hour you’re working at a discounted rate is an hour you can’t spend improving your content, building your audience, or landing better brand deals.
So How Do I Know I’m Underpricing Myself?
If you're a creator wondering "Am I charging too little?".. here's your gut-check. These are the red flags:
1. You Feel Resentful or Drained After Projects
If you finish a project feeling more exploited than excited, that’s your body telling you: this wasn’t worth the energy. Emotional burnout is often financial underpayment in disguise.
2. You’re Booked Solid, but Still Broke
A full calendar and an empty bank account? That’s a pricing problem. You’re working too much for too little. High demand with low margins = burnout factory. Raise your rates and make room for better clients.
3. Clients Are Shocked at How “Cheap” You Are
Ever had a client say, “Wow, that’s all you charge?”
That’s not a compliment, it’s a warning sign. If your ideal clients expect to pay more, you’re leaving money (and respect) on the table.
4. You’re Afraid to Raise Prices
If the thought of increasing your rates makes you feel panicked — you probably need to. Fear often masks the truth that you’ve been over-delivering and under-charging for far too long.
5. You’re Saying “Yes” Just to Keep the Lights On
If your pricing doesn’t give you the freedom to say “no,” you don’t have a business — you have a hustle. And hustles don’t scale. Proper pricing gives you breathing room, options, and boundaries.
So… How Do You Know What to Charge?
Ask yourself:
Would I take this project again at this price?
Would I feel energized doing this at this price long-term?
Does this price reflect my experience, results, and value?
If the answer is no, your rate is too low and you’re probably underpricing.
let´s sum it up:
Underpricing might feel like the “humble” or “strategic” thing to do. It’s not. It’s a trap. You’re not just selling content, you’re selling a result, a transformation, and access to your audience.
And that is worth more.