Before lowering a freelance rate, calculate whether the price covers work hours, revision scope, direct costs, and fees. CK Cheong’s video discusses why he avoids heavy promotions and values workers’ time. This article separates the speaker’s opinion from Fastwork’s current policy and adds a checklist freelancers can adapt.
What does the video discuss, and what cannot be concluded?
The available video notes summarize CK’s reasons for avoiding steep discounts and his view that a project’s value is connected to the worker’s time. The comparison between Thai and Japanese food is an example of his opinion in conversation, not data comparing food prices or evidence about soft power as a whole.
CK Cheong’s Fastwork profile identifies him as CEO of Fastwork.co, but his comments in the video should not be read as a formal company announcement or official terms. Check Fastwork’s 2026 fee article before quoting; platform terms and current account details can change.
Checklist before sending a quote
- Define the deliverables: Specify the number of items, file formats, usage channels, delivery date, and revision rounds. Similar-looking jobs can take different amounts of time when their scope differs.
- Estimate working hours: Include client discussions, preparation, production, quality checks, delivery, and revisions—not only the time spent creating the work.
- Add direct costs: Include assistants, stock images, software, equipment, travel, or expenses specific to the project.
- Check platform fees and taxes: Confirm the rate and calculation base on the platform on the date you quote. Conditions may differ by category, seller tier, and tax status. Fastwork says its service fees depend on accumulated sales or membership tier, with separate details for VAT-registered sellers.
- Allow for uncertain scope: If the brief or scope may change, list additional work as a separately priced item rather than taking on all the uncertainty in the initial quote.
An illustrative minimum-price formula
Set a target for labor income and add direct costs. Then work backward using the actual fee for the job. If the fee is a proportion r of the same base as the quoted price, and taxes or other items are excluded, an illustrative formula is:
Quoted price ≈ (target net labor income + direct costs) ÷ (1 − r)
Example: if you want 4,000 baht for labor, have 500 baht in direct costs, and assume a 10% fee on the same base, the pre-tax quote is about 5,000 baht. After a 10% fee, 4,500 baht remains for labor and direct costs. The 10% is an example to explain the formula, not Fastwork’s current rate. If the platform calculates fees on a VAT-inclusive amount or uses other rules, use its actual calculation base and check the net amount in your account.
When might a discount make sense?
A discount may be appropriate for a clear reason—for example, testing a new service format, handling a larger volume that reduces the time per item, or offering a defined promotion to new customers. Set the period, number of jobs, and included work. If a discounted job is no longer worthwhile, reduce the scope or revision rounds instead of keeping everything in the package at a lower price.
Before agreeing to a discount, calculate net income after fees and costs, check whether the price still covers your time, and state which work qualifies and when the special price ends. Communicating the value of work does not require refusing every discount; it means understanding its effect and matching the scope to the price.
Frequently asked questions
Does discounting mean you do not value your work?
Not necessarily. A discount can be a strategy tied to scope or timing. What matters is understanding net income, costs, and working hours after the discount.
Does Fastwork charge one fee rate in every case?
Do not assume there is a single rate for every case. Fastwork’s documents describe calculations based on accumulated sales or membership tier and include conditions for VAT-registered shops. Check Fastwork’s latest fee information before quoting.
Are the comments in the video Fastwork policy?
This article presents them only as CK Cheong’s views in the video, not a company announcement. Use Fastwork’s official documents in effect when you work for current fee and service details.
Scope and sources
CK’s role is linked to his Fastwork profile. The fee figures refer to Fastwork’s 2026 documents and may change. This is a basic pricing framework, not individualized tax or accounting advice.