Let's be honest – figuring out how to set fees on Axiom feels like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded when you first start. I remember setting my first consultation fee at $50/hour thinking I was being ambitious. Big mistake. After three months of working nonstop and barely covering coffee expenses, I realized I'd totally missed the mark. Setting fees isn't just picking numbers out of thin air; it's about understanding value, costs, and psychology all at once.
What You're Really Paying For With Axiom's Fee Structure
Before we dive into the how-to, let's clear up what Axiom actually charges. When I first started using their platform, I assumed those tiny percentage fees were no big deal. Then I did the math at year-end and nearly choked on my latte.
| Fee Type | What It Covers | Typical Range | When You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | Axiom's cut for using their infrastructure (this one sneaks up on you) | 1.5% - 4% per transaction | Deducted automatically from payments |
| Payment Processing | Credit card fees and payment gateway costs | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Included in payout deductions |
| Subscription Plans | Advanced features like custom contracts or priority support | $15 - $99/month | Billed monthly to your account |
| Disbursement Fees | Getting your money into your bank account | $0.25 - $1.50 per transfer | Deducted from transfers |
Here's what most guides won't tell you: That "small" 3% platform fee means you lose $300 on every $10k project. Doesn't seem so small now, right? That's why your pricing strategy must account for these nibbles.
The Hidden Costs Most Freelancers Forget
When I set my first fees on Axiom, I forgot about:
- The 12 hours/month spent on unpaid client communication
- Software subscriptions (design tools aren't free)
- Payment delays eating into cash flow
- That brutal 15.3% self-employment tax
My buddy Jake learned this the hard way when his $5k project ended up netting him $3,200 after all deductions. Ouch.
Fee Calculation Reality Check
(Target income + business expenses + taxes) ÷ (billable hours) + Axiom fees = Minimum hourly rate
Example: Want $80k/year? With $15k expenses and 1000 billable hours?
($80,000 + $15,000 + $12,240) ÷ 1000 = $107.24/hour
Then add 15% for Axiom fees and buffer = $123.33/hour
Step-by-Step: Setting Your Actual Fees on Axiom
Okay, enough theory. Let's get into the actual steps for how to set fees on Axiom that won't leave you underpaid. I've refined this through trial and error (mostly error).
Finding Your Baseline Number
First, grab these numbers:
- Your monthly living expenses (rent, food, insurance)
- Business costs (software, hardware, subscriptions)
- Tax percentage (usually 25-30% for freelancers)
- Desired profit margin (I recommend 20-30%)
Now do this calculation:
[(Living expenses × 12) + business costs] ÷ 0.7 = annual revenue needed
Divide this by your billable hours to get your baseline hourly rate
Warning: Don't make my rookie mistake of dividing by 40-hour weeks. Realistically, you'll have 15-25 billable hours max per week once you account for admin, marketing, and that inevitable mid-afternoon slump.
Project-Based vs. Hourly: When to Use Each
Through painful experience, I've learned:
| Pricing Method | Best For | Fee Setting Tip | Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Clients with changing requirements Unclear project scopes Ongoing maintenance work |
Set 10-15% above baseline to cover Axiom fees | Low (you get paid for all hours) |
| Project-Based | Well-defined projects Fixed deliverables Clients who want predictable costs |
Estimate hours × 1.5 × hourly rate Add 10% buffer for scope creep |
Medium (scope creep can kill profits) |
| Retainer | Long-term clients Ongoing services Predictable income needs |
Offer 5-10% discount for commitment Bill upfront via Axiom subscriptions |
Low (consistent income) |
The golden rule? Never set project fees until you've done at least three similar projects. My first website quote was embarrassingly low because I didn't account for fourteen rounds of revisions.
Tiered Pricing: How to Upsell Without Feeling Sleazy
This changed everything for my business. Instead of one flat fee, I now offer:
Bronze Package: Basic deliverables only ($1,500)
Silver Package: Bronze + 2 revisions and priority support ($2,200)
Gold Package: Silver + source files and 1 year updates ($3,500)
Surprisingly, 70% of clients choose Silver or Gold. The psychology? People feel in control choosing options rather than being quoted one price. And setting these tiers on Axiom is simple using their service package feature.
The Anchoring Trick That Works Every Time
List your premium package first on your Axiom profile. Even if few choose it, that $5k project makes your $3k offer seem reasonable. When I flipped my pricing display, my mid-tier conversions increased by 40%.
When to Raise Your Fees (And How Not to Lose Clients)
I raise fees every 9-12 months or after every 5 major projects. The key is doing it strategically:
- Grandfather existing clients at old rates for 3 months
- Announce changes alongside new value (added services, faster delivery)
- Raise fees for new clients first
- Update your Axiom profile gradually - don't triple prices overnight
Last January, I emailed clients: "Prices increasing March 1 - book now to lock current rates." My pipeline filled up for two months straight.
Fee Setting Landmines to Avoid
Learn from my disasters so you don't repeat them:
| Mistake | What Happened | How to Prevent |
|---|---|---|
| Underestimating revisions | Client requested 12 logo variations Project lost money |
Now include 3 revisions max in contract Charge $75/hr after that |
| Ignoring Axiom's payment delays | Needed funds for equipment Got paid 45 days late |
Keep 3-month operating buffer Offer 5% discount for upfront payment |
| Not adjusting for client location | Charged startup rates to Fortune 500 Left thousands on table |
Research client size beforehand Have tiered pricing for enterprise clients |
Honestly, Axiom's fee structure could be more transparent. Their support docs gloss over how those micro-fees add up, especially for small transactions.
FAQs: Actual Questions from Real Axiom Users
How often should I change my fees on Axiom?
I review quarterly but only adjust when: my skills have significantly improved, my workload is consistently full, or industry rates have jumped. Never raise fees during slow periods - it looks desperate.
Can I set different fees for different clients?
Absolutely. Axiom lets you create custom proposals with client-specific pricing. I charge nonprofits 20% less but make that clear in proposals. Just be consistent to avoid awkwardness if clients compare notes.
What's the best way to handle fee negotiations?
When clients ask for discounts, I offer alternatives instead: smaller scope, extended timeline, or removing deliverables. "I can reduce the fee by 15% if we remove the social media assets" preserves value perception better than straight discounting.
Should I display fees publicly on my Axiom profile?
I show starting rates only. Full pricing comes after discovery calls. Why? Clients self-select out if prices scare them prematurely. One client balked at my $10k starting rate but happily paid $35k after understanding the value.
Sneaky Psychological Tricks That Justify Higher Fees
These made the biggest difference in my fee acceptance rates:
- The "Decoy Effect": Include one slightly overpriced package to make others look better
- Anchoring: Mention your $200/hr rate before offering project pricing
- Value Stacking: List deliverables as separate line items showing $12,000 value for $8,500 fee
- Urgency: "Price valid for 14 days" in proposals
My close rate jumped 25% when I started presenting fees as "investment" instead of "cost." Semantics matter.
Real-Time Fee Adjustments Based on Demand
During peak seasons (Q4 for marketers, tax season for accountants), I add 15-20% to my normal fees. Axiom makes this easy with their custom quote tool. Last December, I charged premium rates for rush jobs and still booked 12 projects.
Track your proposal-to-close ratio in Axiom's dashboard. If over 60% of quotes get accepted immediately, your fees are too low. Aim for 35-45% closing rate for optimal pricing.
Final Reality Check: Are Your Fees Sustainable?
Do this quick audit right now:
- Calculate your effective hourly rate (total income ÷ actual working hours)
- Subtract all Axiom fees and payment processing costs
- Compare to local wages for similar skilled work
- Ask: Would I hire myself at this rate?
When I did this last quarter, I realized I was earning less than baristas after expenses. That wake-up call led to a 40% fee increase across the board. Lost two small clients but gained higher-quality ones.
Setting fees on Axiom isn't about copying competitors or guessing. It's a continuous balancing act between valuing your work and understanding market realities. Start with covering your costs, then build pricing that reflects your growing expertise. And remember – fees aren't set in stone. My first year on Axiom, I adjusted pricing four times before finding the sweet spot.
Leave a Comments