Apologies - I wasn't speaking to "you" personally. I meant the generic "you" - it's a question each person needs to ask themselves as part of their strategy. I should have been clearer.
On 16/03/2009, at 4:58 PM, Julio Cesar Ody wrote: > > 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 >> >> >> >>> >> > > > 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
