DISQUS

Download Music · 2 years ago

You are bang on every item on the list. The buffer however is the most critical item.

There is one very important tool that I insist on using, which is, minuting all discussions and conveying the same to the client. This keeps him/her informed of my understanding of the discussions and unless a quick response is received, I proceed on the basis of my understanding. This avoids unpleasantness and misunderstandings as the project proceeds. I strongly recommend this to any one who wants to freelance.

Scott · 2 years ago

Ben, this is a great list with lots of good advice, especially for beginning freelancers like me.

Well done.

Adam Donkus · 2 years ago

Great post Ben. Love the line "The busier you are, the higher your prices should go."
We only have so much time, and supply and demand should rule out...but like the idea of dropping the price for fun projects and karma.

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

@Download Music: That's good advice -- "document everything."

Thank you for the other comments as well, always appreciated!

Viv King · 2 years ago

Although I see your point, when it comes to things like web-design management and commercialising your website please bear in mind that the average client knows ----all about computers. It is only after a year of building my own website with no knowledge whatsoever and mainly online learning that I am only beginning to understand what I need for my business. We are not all computer geeks!

Dan · 2 years ago

Very good advice! I too tend to bid lower on projects I know I'll enjoy, but that's only if I think it will increase my chances of getting the job. Otherwise I'll price it regularly, and get the best of both worlds.
I can't even begin to count how many times I've been told that "Tons of future work is on the way", then only gotten a few piddly jobs here and there.

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

@Viv: There's no question lots of people aren't web savvy, and although my focus is often on web-related stuff (since that's what I do) I think it could apply to all sorts of jobs, consultants and freelancers.

@Dan: Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I appreciate it.

Robert · 2 years ago

Nice article - some great tips in there. Cheers;)

Jason · 2 years ago

Ben - You are correct in assuming these rules apply to other trades, they equate what I have learned about pricing flooring/stone work for my customers and clients. I think this would be a good article for any new business owner struggling with this issue.

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Jason - Thanks for the comment from someone outside of the "web world" of industries -- I appreciate it.

Jacob Aldridge · 2 years ago

Some good lessons here, especially for those early to freelance work. The fixed price / retainer is especially important - charging by the hour can be a failed model because the better (quicker) you get, the cheaper you are, which doesn't make sense.

I think you missed one big criteria, however -

"How valuable is the project to the client?"

If you are going to help the client make a lot more money (or make their life a lot easier), AND you can communicate that in your proposal, then you are still able to deliver great value while charging a higher price.

The Baldchemist · 2 years ago

You hit the nail on the head there Ben.
Try though to give the punter what he/she NEEDS rather than what they want,
Creating stuff that doesn't reach objectives will not get you future work from anyone.
Getting into "dutch auctions" is killer and any punter that tells you they can get it cheaper down the road should be avoided irrespective of how much you need the business.
Sell your advantages-your skills- your differences. If you are giving like for like then you shouldn't be in business. Take a look at www.thebaldchemist.com for some tips on copywriting, design,demographic tips,trends and importantly -how to pitch your punters.
Don't worry, its all free- no buttons to press- no offers-no congratulations your the 99999999 winner bullshit. Just 30 years of dealing experience.Good luck to you all.The Baldchemist

Tibi Puiu · 2 years ago

Excellent work Ben, I used to freelance a lot in my early blogging months, as the income from my own blogs wasn't sufficient. I never did any big projects, like series or stuff like that, I would usually be paid by article or by month (salary... that didn't work out pretty well). Also like you've said earlier, bad clients are always a drag, I know I've had my share.

Jay · 2 years ago

Question: A project I'm working on was put on hold, and the client is not sure whether it will continue or not. Do I send them my invoice now (for partial time worked), or wait to find out what will happen to the project? If the latter, how long should I wait? It's been two weeks.

Thanks!

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

@Jacob: I'm not sure you can charge more (openly anyway) by explaining that the project you'll be helping on will make the client a lot of money. What if the project fails? Will you take a cut? Give some money back?

You -can- offer to take some payment in equity or performance bonuses if you're a strong believer in the project, but I'm not sure it works to say, "Hey, this project is going to make you a LOT of money, so I'm charging more."

What do others think?

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

@Jay: It depends. Did you negotiate something specific with the client?

My preference is to ALWAYS get paid as QUICKLY as possible. It seems like a reasonable step to call the client, explain your position (the project's on hold, who knows when it will start) and that you'd like to be paid for the work done to-date. If the project starts up again, you can keep working on it, etc. etc. -> but you want to be paid.

My biggest fear in your situation is that the project dies, the client disappears and you're screwed.

Jay · 2 years ago

Ben--
There was no specific negotiation with the client except for an hourly pay and a deadline. I've been contacting the client from time to time, and the status remains the same: on hold indefinitely. I'm afraid that your biggest fear is in fact about to happen to me.

Thanks for your input.

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Jay - I would invoice them ASAP and try to get what you can out of them.

Good luck!

Jacob Aldridge · 2 years ago

@ Ben -

You certainly can charge more, although I would agree with you that performance bonuses are more likely. It depends on how strategic your support for the client is - if you're just completing their well defined brief, it would be more difficult to vary from an hourly rate / fixed price.

However, if you work with the client to plan the project AND you spend the time building a business case with the client that shows how much profit they will make if the work is properly implemented, then you will be in a position to charge higher rates for more profitable clients. If your work helps make one client $20,000 and another client $50,000 - even if it's takes you the same amount of time - then you're delivering different amounts of value to the client and can charge accordingly.

This advice may apply more in other industries, but the general principle stands. And remember, a client that cares more about what you charge than they do about what you can do for them is not the sort of client you want.

ceasor · 2 years ago

I like you article. Could you write something from the client's side? I'm currently in a horrible position where the development company did not finish my project because they mismanaged their money. I paid 50% upfront (I will never ever do that again. The money will go into an escrow account and be released when milestones are accomplished.) and an additional 15% two months in. Long story short, the owner is trying to bail, not show up to arbitration, and is pretty much unresponsive. Any suggestions?

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

@ceasor: Hhhm...that's a good idea. I've been on the client side too and it's tough.

Let me mull that over and see what I come up with.

J.C. Carvill · 2 years ago

Too make things more even, Additional perspectives from client angle would make this article more complete, because at any work, troubles do come from both side.

Understanding between both parties and willingness to cooperate in order to get a win-win solution is absolute.

J.C. Carvill
Email: support@cosmosing.com
URL: http://www.cosmosing.com/jeanclaudecarvill/inde...

Marc Klein · 2 years ago

Great review. I also do freelancing and it works great for me.

Stefanie · 1 year ago

Great list. On the occasion that I find myself doing freelance work, I definitely try to follow a very similar set of rules for myself. The only place where I really deviate is that I will negotiate on price if they actually commit to the future work. Without commitment, though, there's no discount. I also make it very clear that the discount applies only to that set of projects and I've never had a problem raising the price for single projects in the future.

Ben Yoskovitz · 1 year ago

@Stefanie: That's good. You run the risk because a commitment isn't really a commitment until the money is in the bank, but if it's working for you then keep doing it. Even if you get burned once in awhile, being flexible certainly can work to your advantage.

Ann Cummings, Portsmouth NH · 1 year ago

Ah, the question many of us have struggled with, and still struggle with. Thanks for that list of questions to ask ourselves, and for the other tips you shared. In particular, I like the adding a buffer suggestion - one that I hadn't given thought to as yet.

Thanks again.

Eugene Chuang Garg · 1 year ago

Its very difficult to price free lance work because there are so many low cost providers from India and they work for 5 bucks an hour. Quality is commonly not as good as the higher prices providers from the US and Europe.

patent assistance worldwide · 1 year ago

I agree with your post. The biggest problem I think is that there are so many people freelancing that have no idea what they are doing. They offer to do jobs at low prices and this cause the price level to sink. Best example is webdesign.

Data Entry Services · 1 year ago

Have to agree with Eugene. The world economy thing is tough. It will work out in the end but we're the time period that has to figure it out. Competing with India and China that have a different economy and perhaps different labor laws is not an even playing field. There is some loss of quality and control though and that may be how we can level the field.

louis r bucalo · 1 year ago

Had some bad experience with freelancers. I only use companies. They might be more epensive but usually they worth their money.

susan · 1 year ago

Hi,
I've been going through lots of sites,trying to decide what to charge for my work.I have this project for 14 days time,and requires me to design lots of(20 to 30)flash banners.not only desigh but also structure the whole presentation,add ads and other stuff between,making it a total of 4-5 hrs presentation.Now the question is should i charge hourly or as contract.and how much.I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can help me here.PLEASE send me reply to my mail ASP.
Thanks a lot in advance.

Benjamin Yoskovitz · 1 year ago

Susan - While I appreciate your dilemma I don't think anyone can answer you clearly. There are just too many variables involved that you have not described - your expertise, the client, location, time sensitivity, etc.

I generally prefer fixed-price projects, but even that is difficult, if the workload isn't clearly defined. Sorry that I can't be more help!

susan · 1 year ago

BTW this is purely freelancing and i would spend like 6 hrs /day.working for 14 days total.
HELP ME!!!

Mary Ann · 7 months ago

Being able to receive more does not mean you should overcharge your customer. It is just a nice way to receive a better payment than usual which will allow you also to do a better job. Try giving higher quote only if you feel your potential client is willing to pay more.

sami · 3 months ago

excellent post,all freelancers must read this,all the things are covered beautifully

hariwara · 3 months ago

Wow, it's valuable information, thanks man....

viclogic · 2 months ago

Determining the best reasonable price of our freelance projects is very important. It should consider not only the profit that we can have, but also the feedback of our clients. We should also consider the satisfaction that they can have in relation to our prices as considerations. Really helpful post. Thanks.

Benjamin Yoskovitz · 2 months ago

Thank you for stopping by and commenting, always appreciated.

Jobs for Felons · 2 months ago

We agree that pricing a freelance job can be challenging and these are all great points. As a successful freelance writer, I find it especially true that it is important to get money upfront on freelance projects. Typically, I request 50% upfront and then full payment when done. Thanks for posting this!

Fort Worth Texas · 2 months ago

As a person that connects people with jobs in Fort Worth, Texas, I agree that pricing effectively is very important.