How Much Should You Charge?
Pricing Strategies for Part-time Email List Managers
If you're starting out as a part-time email list manager, figuring out how much to charge can feel overwhelming. Many side hustlers worry about setting rates that are too low, scaring off potential clients, or worse — working for hours without fair pay.
In this article, you'll learn pricing strategies for side hustlers, so you can confidently price your email list management services and grow a profitable freelance business.
The Pricing Trap: Why Many Mail List Managers Undercharge
It’s common for beginner email list managers to copy competitor rates or simply guess a number that “feels right.”
But this often leads to undercharging. In fact, studies show that freelancers who undervalue their work earn up to 40% less in their first year.
When you manage lists part-time, your time is extra valuable. So, setting the right price from the get-go is key.
What Makes Pricing Different for Part-Time Email List Managers?
Pricing as a part-time email list manager is unique because you need to balance:
Your limited availability: You may only have 10-20 hours a week.
Your expertise level: Are you offering basic list hygiene or advanced automation setups?
The value of your service: A clean, segmented list can generate significant revenue for clients.
Unlike full-time freelancers, you can’t rely on volume. Each project needs to be worth your time.
Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
Charging by the hour instead of by the value or the outcome you deliver.
Setting rates based on what others charge without understanding your costs.
Underselling complex services like list segmentation or automation sequences.
A Simple Pricing Formula to Follow
Here's a straightforward way to calculate how much you should charge for a project:
(Hourly Rate * Estimated Hours) + Fixed Overhead Costs + Margin
For example:
Hourly rate: $50/hour
Total estimated hours: 5 hours
Fixed overhead costs (including fee to use your email software, cost for custom graphics, templates, and other tools): $30
Margin: (to cover costs from unexpected scope creep or other unanticipated expenses) 20%
👉 Price = ($50 × 5) + $30 = $280 + 20% margin = ~$336
How to Communicate Your Price with Confidence
Always present your pricing as a solution to a problem — not just a number. Example: “This package will help clean and segment your list, improving open rates and deliverability.”
Offer clear deliverables: What will the client get for the price?
Never speak in terms of time. Always speak in terms of value.
Be ready to explain your value: The ROI of email list management is often huge compared to the cost.
Want help calculating your rates? Download my free pricing worksheet for email list managers — designed for part-time freelancers like you. It walks you through your income goals, costs, and service value so you can set rates that work.
Some Final Thoughts
Setting your email list management pricing as a side hustler doesn’t have to be stressful. With a clear strategy, you’ll feel confident charging what you’re worth — and building a sustainable, profitable business.
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