The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
Back to feedPost
I might be wrong for sharing this in public, but f*ck it.
High earning freelancers ($10K+/month) don’t just have more skill, they think strategically. 💰
If you’re stuck trading time for money, here’s how to break free.
1. Price for Value, Not Time Many freelancers undercharge, assuming clients pay for hours worked.
Reality: Clients pay for results.
How to charge higher rates:
→ Switch to value-based pricing (charge based on outcomes).
→ Offer 3-tier pricing (Starter, Default, Premium) to nudge clients toward higher options.
→ Test rates: If clients agree too quickly, raise your prices
2. Attract Clients Without Cold Outreach Chasing clients is inefficient. Top freelancers draw clients to them.
Create a passive lead system
Continues below... 👇🏻
5. Optimize Efficiency: Automate, Delegate, Cut Waste You don’t need more time—you need smarter systems.
Scale without burnout:
→ Automate repetitive tasks (invoicing, scheduling, follow-ups).
→ Delegate to a virtual assistant, editor, or junior freelancer.
→ Eliminate tasks that...
→ Optimize your portfolio as a sales page.
→ Share client success stories on Twitter and LinkedIn (case studies outperform resumes).
→ Build referrals by incentivizing past clients to recommend you.
Where to find high-value clients:
Contra
Instagram: .
LinkedIn:
Twitter:
3. Productize Your Skills (Work Less, Earn More) Custom projects drain time. Turn your services into scalable products.
Example (for Web Designers):
$5,000: Full custom website package.
$500: Website template pack for DIY clients.
$250: Website audit and action plan (quick,...
4. Optimize Efficiency: Automate, Delegate, Cut Waste You don’t need more time—you need smarter systems.
How to create stability:
→ Offer monthly retainers (e.g., ongoing design, social media, or consulting).
→ Launch a paid community or membership (e.g., private Discord, coaching...
6. Adopt a Business Owner’s Mindset Freelancers serve clients. Business owners build systems to attract them.
Key mindset shifts:
→ Stop taking “gigs”—build a recognizable brand.
→ Don’t wait for clients—create your own opportunities.
→ Move beyond trading time for money—focus on...
This shift from time-based to outcome-based thinking is what separates top earners.
In AI and automation projects, results compound — pricing should reflect that impact.
Pricing for value and creating a passive lead system are game-changers! The shift from chasing clients to attracting them is the exact mindset that separates $10K+/month freelancers from the rest. This thread is gold!
Love the grid consistency here very clean execution.
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
Related posts
Most freelancers try to earn more by working more. But what if the key was in working even less? 👀
I started treating my Contra profile like a product: I published projects strategically to attract dream clients, applied selectively to stay visible, and invited past clients onto the platform to centralize everything.
Last but not least, Digital Products are the ones that made me work less 😏 to have a passive income possibility.
Of course, nothing dramatic happened overnight. But visibility grew, better clients came in and income grew without adding more hours.
The shift was simple: stop selling time, start building assets.
If you had to increase your earnings without working more hours, what would you build first?
I love this strategy and I think it's gonna pay off big time for you
After 10 years closing deals at companies like Criteo (268% quota), Deel, and Autodesk, I learned something that changed everything: the person across the table doesn't care what you charge per hour.
They care what the result costs them NOT to have.
Here's how I'm structuring revenue on Contra:
- Digital products ($97-$599) = passive income that sells while I sleep
- Services ($1,750-$8K+) = high-ticket consulting for SaaS growth teams
- Subscription product ($299/mo) = recurring revenue from AI sales intelligence
The game isn't picking one. It's building a stack where each tier feeds the next.
What's your revenue architecture look like? Curious how others are stacking income streams here.
I’ve won $30,000+ from @Contra challenges/contests so far. But that’s not the best part!
I shared some experiences in the comments on how just participating in challenges can maximize your earnings 🧵👇
Have any particular questions about the topic?
Just shoot them over. I’ll answer all of them!
How to Maximize Your Chances of Winning Contests?
Trending
maxearnings
The next frontier of payments is live on Contra. How are you maximizing revenue?
micrographics
Micrographics started as utility - barcodes, packaging, instruction labels. How would you use them?
aidesignflow
AI tools are redefining how designer work. What does your workflow look like?
aivideo
AI video tools are moving at warp speed. What tools are you using?
whennotai
As AI accelerates, creative judgment matters more. What part of your work stays human?