Maximizing Your Earnings: Pricing Strategies for Student Gigs

Smart Pricing = Bigger Payouts

If you're offering services on PeerZu, the difference between a $30 gig and a $70 gig often comes down to how you price your work. A strategic pricing plan helps you rank higher in search, win better-quality jobs, and grow recurring income.

1. Know the Going Rate on Your Campus

Search the marketplace for similar gigs at your university. Note the ranges for popular keywords like "UCLA photo shoot," "UCSD calculus tutor," or "Berkeley resume review." Use that data to set a baseline and adjust based on your experience.

- Beginner: 10–15% under the median price

- Intermediate: Match campus average, highlight specialty skills

- Expert / Certified: 15–30% above the average with proof (portfolio, testimonials, results)

2. Build Tiered Packages Instead of Flat Rates

Students love clarity. Offer a menu such as:

- Starter Package: 1-hour session, light revisions — perfect for quick homework help

- Growth Package: 3-hour bundle, detailed notes, priority chat support

- Premium Package: Full project management, unlimited edits, 24-hour response window

Packages make it easy to upsell and ensure you're compensated for deeper work.

3. Factor in Real Costs

Go beyond the time you spend face-to-face. Include:

- Prep time, research, or editing

- Transportation or equipment (camera batteries, art supplies, lab software)

- Communication, revisions, and follow-up messages

Multiply your working hours by your target hourly rate. If you want to earn $30/hour and the full project takes three hours (including prep), quote at least $90.

4. Use Seasonal and Urgency Pricing

- Midterm + finals seasons: Increase rates for "rush" delivery

- Campus events (formals, recruitment weeks, graduation): Offer premium photo/video bundles

- Holiday breaks: Pitch remote gigs to alumni or admin offices who still need help

Make urgency fees clear in your description so clients understand the value of last-minute support.

5. Highlight Your ROI

Pair your price with an outcome-focused statement:

- "Professional LinkedIn revamp that increases profile views within 7 days"

- "Event recap reel delivered in 24 hours, optimized for TikTok and Instagram"

- "Cal II tutoring that raised average exam scores by 12 points last semester"

SEO-friendly phrases like "college side hustle," "student freelancer," and "campus gig economy" help the post surface in Google searches and reassure buyers they’re investing in results.

6. Reassess Every 5 Completed Jobs

Once you have new reviews, bump your rate (even by $5) and see how the market responds. If applications stay strong, keep climbing. If they slow, offer a temporary discount or add more value (extra deliverable, faster turnaround).

Bottom Line

Strategic pricing is the fastest way to turn weekend gigs into a dependable monthly income. Track your hours, package your services, and repeat what sells. You'll earn more without taking on a single extra project.