I have done works for companies just to see another group do similar work for the same companies and charge absolutely no less than 5 times as much. Problem is

I have done works for companies just to see another group do similar work for the same companies and charge absolutely no less than 5 times as much. Problem is when you start at x the companies will never pay you 3x or 5x again. You just started too low. However, they will gladly drop you and pay someone else 5x and justify it and not even remember you were ever here and not even feel the pang of the new amount they are paying. Side note: NEVER EVER EVER let the companies you are working with know you are a freelancer. For all they know you are WE. Let them assume the size of your team.