It's a question that haunts freelancers - especially those new to the field. And it doesn't help that your rates depend on your experience as well as the city you live in. A freelancer seeking clients in New York can charge a lot more than a freelancer seeking clients in Idaho.

You have to set your rate schedule according to what you can live with as well as what's competitive in the market. Setting them too low makes you look like an amateur and setting them too high will knock you out of getting some projects.

It's always best to set your prices as a range. Potential clients don't want to see a $3,000 price tag for a brochure when a brochure could be so many different sizes. And by the same token, you don't want to have one rate and then get slammed with a hefty brochure that's more like a booklet disguised as a brochure.

WritersMarket has a guide you can use in setting your own rates. Just be sure you take into account the size of your city, the types of clients you'll be seeking and your own experience.