Ever done work for free?

Yeah ive gotta agree with u23 on this one..this has happened to me on a few occassions and i never got anything in return. Just say no, its suprisingly easy

Plus, it leaves you more time to devote to getting paid for the work you do.

Try the following philosophy on for size, Paul, and keep it in the front of your mind when speaking with potential clients:

"You can have the job done properly, cheaply, or fast. Pick two."

Yeah, I really gotta drill that mantra into my head. The past few jobs I've done. The one pending (with an alleged deadline of 4/1) Is going to be done properly and cheaply, but I've been working on it FOREVER. And it's not a complex job. The last few jobs I've done were done cheap, fast, and half assed for the most part.

I've got to find a golden mean that lets me work at such a pace that I can get the job done well enough to please both myself and the client, being that each job I do, gets me a little more recognition so that it's good to have my name attached only to really noteworthy work, which the above definitely is not.

Also, I gotta start charging more.

A lot more.

[QUOTE=Pganguly]

Also, I gotta start charging more.

A lot more.[/QUOTE]
I say that to myself all the time...

My biggest problem is I charge an hourly rate and can spend hours and hours on something to finally show the client and look at it and think "Now they arent going to pay that much",

and then on other occasions i can do something in 10 mins, look at it and think "now thats worth more than $20"

I've been thinking about this rate system:

Estimate the time that it will take to complete the project. I assume about 10 hours per most projects.

Charge 1/10 per hour above that for each hour beyond 10 that you spend on the project. That way, if it takes you less time than that, then hey, either way, you got the job done, and usually the client agrees to the upfront price, and it's fully possible to spend less time than that on it, but usually, you won't. That way, you can charge the flat rate, and not have to quibble over your additional billable hours.

At least that's what I think.

Yeah, I estimate 'expected' hours for a job, multiply by my 'rate' and that's what I quote for a job. If the client changes the 'scope' of the job, then you have to decide whether to absorb it in the padding you put in, or tell the client you need to requote the work.

Try this for a system:

When meeting with a client, you need to guage what they are willing to spend and when they need it by. So lets say they need a professional, 3 fold brochure in one months time. April 1st - May 1st is your estimated time to work/print this and you have quoted them $500 for the design and printing for 2000 of these brochures will cost them another $800. You have agreed that you will be handling the printing and will bill the client when its finished. (You may want to incur some handling fees if so desired). At this point in time 15% is required up front or within the next few days.

Now that the main details are out of the way, create a timeline for the client. Since meetings eat up valuable time, say that you will meet again in 1 weeks time to go over the initial design concepts and discuss the progression of the job. Charge another 25%.

Again, another meeting in approx. 1 weeks time. Discuss final changes etc. Meet once more, within a few days/week, show final proof to client. Make sure its proofed, spell checked, etc..., charge another 40% (You need money to pay the bills and the large print cost).

Once printed, hand over product/files/whatever else was discussed and collect last 20%.

If the client makes changes or breaks the agreed timeline, then you get to charge more money. Too many clients "need it tomorrow" and the job ends up taking forever instead. By having timelines, you can better guage how much time you can spend per client and when you can fit new ones in. Having them commit to a schedule only enhances your productivity. And like I said, if they stray from the agreement, then you need to explain to them how this harms you and why you must charge more. And by receiving payments, they further commit themselves, plus your bills get paid.

Feel free to streamline this idea to your needs. It's just a real rough general scenario.