Preparation about raising your rates-- then PRACTICING what you'll say-- will always help the most with the initial discussion about raising your rates, which can feel confrontational, especially if you're new to "money talk" AND part of certain demographics who, based on studies and research, tend to undersell themselves from the beginning: women, minorities,early stage career people, later stage career people, and if you're new to freelancing (1-2 years in).
Be aware of it-- and know that you are not alone. Prepare, prepare, prepare, practice, practice, practice. The practice will take the chill out of the air, which is typically why people chicken out. It's just so uncomfortable, but it will feel less confrontational with practice.
Get yourself an accountability buddy, too. Ask them to take on different personas and work through responses that you're most afraid of or most intimidated by.
The more you experience, the more prepared you'll feel, and the more desensitized you will become over what could feel daunting and scary, which are the reasons why people chicken out.
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