The sooner you learn it, the sooner your time will be yours to leverage. Many need to attain a broader business perspective. I'm not talking about pay scales and project bids, though those are important. I'm talking about how to turn a sale into a relationship that could mean more work later. Everyone should learn sales skills.
Transactions are price-based relationships where the lowest bid takes all.
You don't want that because you want to form long-term relationships with clients that transcend bids and projects. You want to build a brand that will distinguish you from other freelancers. You need to understand the client's problem or issue - the ultimate business goal. Some independent professionals don't enjoy this, and some aren't good at it. To some extent, that's where talent agencies like Aquent come in.