I don't freelance. I did though, in an economy that's constantly in bad shape. And price played a *much* bigger part than I see it happening here. Hence the idea that given enough shit hits the fan, globally/financially speaking, I think this phenomena could become increasingly common.
Not meaning to sound negative though. I'm well aware there's a lot more that comes into play. The reason why I'm sharing my view is I always found myself giving this matter some thought from time to time, and as lots here do freelance, I'm interested in hearing their takes. On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 4:52 PM, Steve Hayes <[email protected]> wrote: > > So far no one has mentioned the competition and what they change (not > the el cheapo folk). > > Are you better than Craig? Do you charge more or less? > > Steve > > On 16/03/2009, at 4:42 PM, Julio Cesar Ody wrote: > >> >> I tend to agree. But the definition of good and what's worth more is >> directly proportional to your client's ability to perceive things the >> way you do (adjustable through marketing), and how much money he has >> in his pocket (not adjustable). >> >> Think of this scenario: there's you, for $50/hour, making slick >> stuff, well balanced, scalable, etc. Then there's el cheapo's websites >> for $10/hour. So your task now becomes: explain why you're worth 5x >> more. Now between us here, I know damn well why you're worth it, but >> your customer may not share our view of better. Or at least not enough >> to justify the increase. Then you'll find yourself haggling. >> >> In a good economy such as what we have here in AU, that's not so >> easily perceived . Put it simply, people/companies have more money in >> their pockets, and they're mostly willing to afford what's better. >> Change that, thanks to a recession, and your demographic suddenly >> becomes a lot smaller, competition ensues, and voila: rates will have >> to go down. >> >> That's my theory. I'm happy to hear counterarguments. >> >> ps: the human game of haggling is what usually puts me off of >> freelancing. >> >> >> On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 4:16 PM, Mike Bailey <[email protected]> >> wrote: >>> Money is only one component of price. >>> >>> I see pricing a job as a game of snakes and ladders. Here are some >>> of the >>> things I take into account when setting a price for a job. My >>> clients have >>> always been keen to include as many "ladders" as possible in order >>> to get >>> the best rate. >>> >>> # Ladders >>> * Quick payment >>> * Flexibile hours and ability to work remotely >>> * Working with smart people >>> * Ability to release work as Open Source >>> * Working on things I want to learn about >>> * Work I see as worthwhile >>> >>> # Snakes >>> * Long payment terms >>> * Distracting work environment >>> * Frustrating beaurocracy >>> >>> The most enjoyable project I worked on recently was for a Not For >>> Profit >>> after the bushfires. It was all ladders and I set my rate at $0. >>> Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do all my work at this >>> rate! :-) >>> >>> - Mike >>> >>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 3:15 PM, Craig Ambrose <[email protected] >>> > >>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi everyone, >>>> >>>> I'm not sure if anyone else is feeling like business is a little >>>> different to what it was a couple of years ago. I'm a bit concerned >>>> about it, and I've decided to drop my rates fairly dramatically. I'd >>>> be interested to hear what others are doing. More on my thoughts >>>> here: >>>> >>>> http://blog.craigambrose.com/past/2009/3/16/keeping_it_real/ >>>> >>>> cheers, >>>> >>>> Craig >>>> >>>> ------- >>>> Craig Ambrose >>>> Cogent Consulting >>>> http://www.craigambrose.com >>>> >>> >>> >>>> >>> >> >> > > > Steve > > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ruby or Rails Oceania" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rails-oceania?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
