No problems. I actually got that one, for a change =) I was referring to my point by elucidating my own personal example in different circumstances than here in Australia, that a worse off economy might contribute to blurring the line between good and bad as far as quality of work and justifying a price goes.
On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 5:07 PM, Steve Hayes <[email protected]> wrote: > > 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
