I have a few regular writing gigs. We agree on payment — in some cases years ago — and I receive regular compensation for regular writing that I do. Earlier this year, though, I got to thinking about one of my oldest clients. I have been writing for this company for almost four years, and doing a more than satisfactory job. I realized that this client paid me about 30% less than many of my newer clients. While something is due to the fact that this client is high volume and loyal, I realized that working for the company was becoming rather inefficient. So I decided to ask for a raise.

It was surprisingly easy. I simply stated my case, politely pointing out that I am valuable, reliable and consistently provide desirable results. Plus, I had been working with the company for almost three years. I also pointed out that I was receiving something significantly below market rate for my work. The company was very understanding, and gave me a raise. It wasn’t quite as much as I would have liked, but there’s a recession on. And the raise makes keeping the client worth it.

Through the process, I realized that asking for a raise as a freelance writer was remarkably similar to asking for a raise in other work cases (possibly including telecommuting). Here are some tips that About.com’s Human Resources expert suggests when asking for raise:

* Understand the pay practices of your client or employer. Regular pay increases (such as after a review period) usually mean that asking for a raise is unlikely to get you anywhere.

* Know the market rate for what you are doing, and understand the value of high quality work in your field.

* State your case. Show what you have accomplished for the company. Also, point out additional responsibilities that you might have taken on.

* Have an idea of the amount of raise you would like, and be prepared to compromise.

As a freelancer working from home, I usually send emails when I request a raise. However, you might need to arrange a telephone meeting or a face-to-face meeting with your supervisor.