You’ve been searching around for days now, maybe weeks, and you finally find what you feel is the perfect freelance writing gig. Maybe you’re a music buff and an online magazine has asked you to produce articles about bands you love, or hate. Maybe you’re an animal lover and PETA has asked you to write a report on the new animal shelter in your community. Whatever the case, you’re thrilled—you start planning research, you call your family and friends and tell them to leave you alone for the next week, and you congratulate yourself on another notch of experience on the ol’ writing belt. And then you’re hit with it. The question that beginning freelancers come to dread: “What are your rates?”

Immediately you start to panic inside. What do you mean, what are my rates? I don’t know…what are my rates? You freak out and call your Uncle Bob for advice—after all, he once wrote an article for the National Geographic back in 1982. Surely he’ll know what to charge. Meanwhile, a more prepared candidate comes along and snatches the job away from you.

This is one of the toughest questions any beginning freelancer will be faced with. You’ve just started out, but you don’t want to sell yourself short—you are a professional at what you do, after all! At the same time, you don’t want to throw a ridiculously large number on the table and risk losing the job.

So, how do you answer the dreaded question: “What are your rates?”

Do some research beforehand. Having been faced with this very dilemma, I’ve done some snooping around online and found a few sources that I think are worth taking a look at. The most informative is at The Write Direction. This site breaks down the reality of being a freelancer into smaller chunks, helping you determine not only what your services are worth, but also what they will cost you. This site is also helpful in that its plan can be applied to any freelancing business—whether you’re a writer, a photographer, or are building your own wedding planning company. Also helpful are The Writing Spot and Freelance Writing Resource—both give you a plethora of additional links to help you figure your freelancing rates.

In the end, be practical. You know what you are worth, but understand that you may not be able to charge that in the beginning. After you trudge through all the muck and sludge of those beginning jobs (you know which ones I’m referring to—they pay just enough to buy the postage it will take to send out your next submission!) and get your foot in the door, you’ll find yourself answering that question more confidently. Heck, you might even be the one snatching those jobs away some day!