If you start out at a lower rate to build a good rep, how do you transition to a higher rate? If someone is referred to you from a previous client, I would think that a rate is shared and so they already have a number in mind for what you charge. Also, what about for recurring clients. If you gave them a better rate in the past and you have now bumped up your rate, do you honor your past rate or do you give them your new rate. For argument sake, let's assume this is not super frequent client that gives you stability, but maybe 15hrs of work every 3 months.