Raise Your Rates With Existing Clients, Without Losing Them

You have outgrown the rate you agreed with a client two years ago, and the thought of bringing it up makes you wince. Give it your current rate, the new one, how long you have worked together, the work and your reason, and it builds a step-by-step plan to communicate the rise professionally, with the wording and timing that keeps the relationship intact.

I want to raise my rates with an existing client. Here's the context:

- Current rate: {current_rate}
- Proposed new rate: {new_rate}
- How long I've worked with them: {relationship_duration}
- Work I do for them: {work_description}
- My reason for the increase: {reason_for_increase}
- Notice I can give: {notice_period}

Write a step-by-step plan for how to communicate this increase professionally and persuasively. Include:
1. The right timing and channel
2. How to frame the conversation around value, not cost
3. A script or email template I can adapt
4. How to handle it if they push back or threaten to leave
5. What concessions (if any) are reasonable to offer