I'm not really convinced by the argument regarding value-based pricing, because that's just not how markets work.
The clearing price (in this case, of labor) is based on demand AND supply; it has nothing to do with how much value you bring to the table. Yes, it's true that maybe writing some piece of software will save some company ten million dollars per year. Should you get one million dollar for writing it? Maybe not, if I can find someone charging 60K to develop that same piece of software.
There is one way to do that with software, though: royalties. It's used for middleware for games and movies. But it's more a risk-management tool for buyers than a sure path to profit for providers (i.e. with royalties you limit your losses if the game or movie does poorly).
So, in the end everything boils down to negotiation. Obviously, if you can't negotiate the $1mil deal, then you won't get it.
Furthermore, the market is not perfect. Just because somebody wants to do the job for $60k it not mean that the company can even get into contact with this person.
Crucially: if you’re more likely to deliver successfully you’ll be able to price accordingly as well. E.g. if the perceived change of success with the 60k person is 80% and with you it’s 90% then you’re arguably worth a few 100k extra.
(Now: that %-chance-of-succes is difficult to measure. Which is why it’s a relationship business IMO :)
The clearing price (in this case, of labor) is based on demand AND supply; it has nothing to do with how much value you bring to the table. Yes, it's true that maybe writing some piece of software will save some company ten million dollars per year. Should you get one million dollar for writing it? Maybe not, if I can find someone charging 60K to develop that same piece of software.
There is one way to do that with software, though: royalties. It's used for middleware for games and movies. But it's more a risk-management tool for buyers than a sure path to profit for providers (i.e. with royalties you limit your losses if the game or movie does poorly).