Command the Fees You Deserve
Review

A practical pricing and marketing course for creative professionals seeking to raise their rates and attract quality clients

Easy
  • Last updated 16/11/2025
by Ilise Benun

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time analyzing Command the Fees You Deserve, and here's what we discovered. This self-paced course, taught by Ilise Benun on CreativeLive, addresses a universal pain point for creative freelancers: how to stop undercharging and start commanding professional rates. The curriculum spans 44 video lessons (quite comprehensive for a free offering), covering everything from mindset shifts to practical pricing strategies.

What caught our attention immediately was Benun's credentials. With over 30 years coaching creatives and seven published books (including "The Creative Professional's Guide to Money"), she brings legitimate expertise to the table. The course structure follows a logical progression: first tackling the psychological barriers around money conversations, then moving into concrete pricing frameworks, and finally covering client negotiation tactics.

We noticed the course takes a refreshingly practical approach. Rather than promising overnight success or six-figure transformations (red flags we often see), it focuses on actionable tools like elevator pitches, LinkedIn optimization, and proposal templates. The emphasis on value-based pricing over hourly rates particularly resonated with us, as this shift often marks the difference between struggling freelancers and thriving creative businesses.

One interesting discovery: while the course originated several years ago, the core principles remain relevant. Yes, some digital marketing tactics have evolved, but the fundamentals of pricing psychology, client communication, and value proposition haven't changed. That said, we'd love to see updated examples reflecting today's remote work landscape and contemporary freelance platforms.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Ideal for freelance designers, writers, photographers, and creative professionals who struggle with pricing confidence or consistently attract low-paying clients. Also valuable for new freelancers building their business foundation.

Instructor

Ilise Benun

Business Expert for Creative Professionals Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Ilise Benun is a renowned business coach, author, and speaker specializing in helping creative professionals enhance their marketing skills and grow their businesses. With over 30 years of experience, she has established herself as a go-to resource for freelancers and creative entrepreneurs seeking to improve their client acquisition strategies and increase their income. Benun's expertise spans various areas, including proposal writing, pricing strategies, and self-promotion techniques tailored specifically for the creative industry.
Benun's career spans more than three decades, during which she has founded Marketing-Mentor.com, authored seven business books, and developed numerous online courses. She has been a program partner for HOW Design Live, the largest design conference in the U.S., since 2008. Benun has also served as an instructor in the 'Business of Design' graduate program at Maryland Institute College of Art and as the 'Business Coach' for the Savannah College of Art & Design. Her work has been featured in prominent publications such as Entrepreneur.com, HOW Magazine, and Fast Company.
• Author of 7 business books, including 'The Creative Professional's Guide to Money' and 'The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing'
• Developed popular online courses for platforms like Domestika.org and CreativeLive
• Named one of the 100 Best Business Blogs by QuickBooks for The Marketing Mentor Blog
• Host of two podcasts: the Marketing Mentor Podcast and the HOW Design Live podcast
• Co-founder of the Creative Freelancer Conference, part of HOW Design Live
• Regular speaker at HOW Design Live conferences
• Featured speaker at various creative industry events and webinars
• Guest on numerous podcasts discussing business strategies for creatives
• Instructor for online courses on Domestika.org and CreativeLive
• Presenter at AWAI (American Writers & Artists Inc.) events
Benun cultivates a robust digital footprint, regularly sharing insights on business strategies for creatives across multiple platforms. She frequently posts on LinkedIn, offering tips and advice to her followers. Her Twitter feed is a mix of industry observations, promotional content for her courses, and engagement with her audience. Benun's YouTube presence, while not as prominent, features interviews and snippets from her speaking engagements.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration1
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None stated (designed for creatives at any experience level)


💻 Requirements

Computer or mobile device with internet connection


💸 Hidden Costs

Zero. No software purchases or tool subscriptions required


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

CreativeLive platform support only (no direct instructor access or student community)

Course content

  • Module 1: Mindset & Money Psychology – Understanding your worth, overcoming imposter syndrome, reframing money conversations
  • Module 2: Goal Setting & Niche Identification – Defining business objectives, finding your ideal client profile, market positioning
  • Module 3: Core Pricing Strategies – Hourly vs. project vs. value-based pricing, when to use each approach, pricing research methods
  • Module 4: Marketing Fundamentals – Elevator pitch development, LinkedIn optimization, website essentials, email newsletter strategies
  • Module 5: Daily Business Practices – Time tracking, productivity habits, overcoming procrastination, maintaining momentum
  • Module 6: Client Management – Identifying red flags, setting boundaries, handling difficult conversations, saying no gracefully
  • Module 7: Negotiation & Closing – Presenting proposals, handling objections, negotiation scripts, closing techniques
  • Module 8: Real-World Application – Case studies, implementation worksheets, action planning

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

We found overwhelmingly positive reactions across creative communities, with particular praise for Benun's no-nonsense approach and actionable advice. Freelancers consistently report feeling more confident about pricing after completing the course.

Praised points

  • Clear, actionable frameworks that can be implemented immediately (no theoretical fluff)
  • Mindset transformation helping creatives overcome "starving artist" mentality
  • Comprehensive coverage with 44 video lessons providing genuine depth

Criticisms

  • Basic for experienced freelancers who've already mastered pricing fundamentals
  • Lacks modern examples from today's gig economy landscape
  • No interactive elements or community support for questions

Testimonials

"Ilise Benun is clear and well-organized. The methods she shares are easy to understand while honest and straightforward in approach." – CreativeLive Student

"Ilise's expertise was tremendously helpful. Thanks to Ilise, I'm not 'stuck' any longer and I'm so excited to implement the wealth of knowledge I've gained." – Course Graduate

"Finally clicked why I always hated pricing my work. Game changer for my confidence." – Freelance Designer

"Solid framework for anyone tired of lowball clients. Worth every minute." – Reddit User

"Wish I'd taken this before my first freelance gig. Would've saved me years of undercharging." – Creative Professional

Social insights

Reddit discussions in r/freelance frequently recommend Benun's work when pricing questions arise. We noticed users particularly appreciate her direct communication style and focus on business fundamentals rather than get-rich-quick schemes. No significant controversies or complaints surfaced in our research.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to help creatives "command the fees they deserve." Our analysis confirms the curriculum directly addresses this through mindset work, pricing strategies, and negotiation techniques. No unrealistic income claims detected.

Price History

Currently free (remarkable value). Historical pricing data unavailable, but CreativeLive frequently offers courses at no cost.

Upsell Practices

None within the course. CreativeLive promotes other courses on their platform, but no aggressive upselling tactics observed.

Student Success

Multiple testimonials reference increased confidence and better client relationships. While specific income increases aren't documented (refreshingly honest), the practical tools provided create clear pathways to higher rates.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

CreativeLive's established platform provides reliable streaming and download options. Interface feels slightly dated but remains functional and user-friendly.

Content Accessibility

Full lifetime access with ability to download lessons for offline viewing. Closed captions available for accessibility.

Mobile Compatibility

Excellent. CreativeLive's mobile site works smoothly, allowing learning on any device.

Technical Requirements

Basic internet connection sufficient. No special software needed.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found virtually no legitimate complaints about course content or delivery. The main criticism centers on the material being too basic for advanced practitioners (hardly a red flag for a beginner-focused course).

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Refund policy issues

Not applicable (course is free). CreativeLive's paid courses follow standard refund policies with no reported issues.

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Marketing practices

Refreshingly transparent. No income promises, no pressure tactics, no fake scarcity. CreativeLive simply presents the course content and instructor credentials without hype.

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Community feedback

Ilise Benun maintains an excellent reputation across creative communities. We found zero controversies or ethical concerns in our research.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At zero cost, the value proposition is unbeatable. We're genuinely surprised this level of comprehensive training is available free. Even if it were priced at $100-200, the ROI would be positive for most creative freelancers.

Conclusion

Command the Fees You Deserve represents everything we look for in a legitimate online course. You get a respected instructor with 30+ years of experience, comprehensive curriculum covering real business challenges, practical tools you can implement immediately, and transparent marketing without false promises. The free price point removes all financial risk while delivering content that could genuinely transform a creative freelancer's business. Yes, some examples feel dated, and advanced freelancers might find it basic, but for its target audience of struggling creative professionals, this course delivers exceptional value. We confidently recommend it as a starting point for any creative looking to improve their pricing confidence and business acumen.

FAQs about this course

Yes, completely free on CreativeLive with lifetime access included

While created several years ago, the core principles remain relevant. Some digital marketing examples may feel dated

The course assumes you already offer creative services. It focuses on the business side, not technical skills

Lifetime access with ability to download videos for offline viewing

CreativeLive provides a completion certificate (not accredited)

No live support or Q&A. This is a self-study program only

The principles apply to any service-based business, though examples focus on designers, writers, and photographers

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Command the Fees You Deserve Review
$ 0
Total score: 8,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration1
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date07/2025
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Our Methodology

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Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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Command the Fees You Deserve Review