If there’s one thing both sides of the creative industry can agree on…it’s that talking about money is rarely the fun part.
Rates are complicated. Budgets shift. Value can feel subjective. And when a job listing just says “$TBD”? It introduces friction, frustration, and often missed opportunities.
That’s why we’ve made a big change.
All job posts on Nova now require a rate — or a rate range.
No more “TBD.” Clients can still stay flexible by posting a range (e.g. $1,500–$2,500 flat or $800–$1,200/day), but there’s now always a clear starting point for both sides.
Creatives can now attach their proposed rate when applying. This is optional, but it’s a powerful tool — especially when the client invites input. It gives creatives a way to lead the rate conversation confidently and helps clients evaluate applications with full context.
We know that pricing creative work isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes you're open to different approaches. Sometimes you’re working within a firm budget. And sometimes, you genuinely don’t know what a project should cost — and that’s okay.
Adding a rate or range helps set expectations early and saves time on both sides. Plus, some creatives on NOVA skip over jobs without a rate — so including one can help attract talent, faster.
Seeing a proposed rate alongside someone’s portfolio also makes it easier to weigh the full picture: skill, style, and budget — all in one place.
We’ve heard you: jobs with no listed rate make it harder to know if something’s worth your time. And chasing leads that end up below market can be discouraging.
This update gives you more clarity and more say in how your work is valued. Including your proposed rate helps set expectations from the start.
Additionally, since launching Nova Pro, we’ve been quietly protecting your time by flagging or removing low-rate jobs and stepping in when occasional posts don’t reflect the values of fair creative work.
This update is just one part of our larger mission: to build a better world for the creative. One that runs on trust, transparency, and respect.
And we’re not stopping here.
We’ve been working behind the scenes on some exciting new features which will be rolling out soon…feature that will:
Empower creatives with smarter, more streamlined tools to manage and grow their business such as: invoicing, project tracking, deal memos, and tax management, to integrated on-platform payments, and NOVA Net Zero. With NOVA Net Zero, creatives can also get paid instantly, eliminating the wait of net-30 (or longer) payment terms.
Further enhance how clients discover top creatives, hire the right fit, and seamlessly manage their projects – all in one place with their teams.
Continue building a space where everyone is set up to succeed and save time doing so.
No more guesswork. No more awkward conversations. Just better collaboration, from day one.
We’re proud to build this platform with you and for you.
Alex Gruszynski & Aidan Cullen
Co-Founders, NOVA