[SilasX]

I agree. I constantly see advice of the form, "You just need to insist on being paid what you're worth", as if a furrowed brow and a firm handshake can make just anyone able to charge enormous amounts.

To be sure, for some freelancers, timidity in asking for more is holding them back, but it has to be combined with an honest self-assessment of how much you could reasonably ask for.