How much should I charge for ___________?
One of the most asked questions in the Boardroom is "How much do I charge for <fill in blank here>?". It could be websites, Flash intros, hourly rates, etc. If you are thinking of posting this question or have posted this question, read the following:
Website Pricing... How Much Should I Charge?
How much does a website cost?
Work for Hire: Setting Fees and Getting Paid
The quick answer
The quick answer is simple. Charge what you're worth. If you don't know what you're worth, use this equation:
Take the amount of time you would spend on whatever project and think of how much money would make you feel good about spending that much time on the project. Then charge that much.
If you are looking for some sort of mechanism to calculate a website project, there is no "industry standard". Although, Template Kit does have some.
If you're thread was closed
If you're thread was closed, you were probably directed to this thread. Also, some of the Flash Kit members may have been a little sarcastic or even rude with you about your question. Don't feel bad or get upset. Everyone has asked this question and keeps asking this question to the point that the Boardroom has become nothing more than the "How much should I charge?" section of Flash Kit. That's why we're now closing all pricing questions and directing them to this thread.
Scott
For those just starting off. READ!
I think this is an interesting topic. Sorta funny.
I've been freelancing since 2001. Started this site flashbooty and I've done very well with it, and I believe mostly that success is due to being very upfront with people. So here's my tips for the work at home freelancer
First. Never tell anyone your hourly. Not even yourself. If you work at home, its pointless to try to figure it out. Unless you bought an old punch card on ebay, why worry about it. Your success will be measured by actually getting enough clients (and $$$) to pay for rent, your car, your girlfriend, your goldfish....think bills to pay, not hourly rates on some website. You're making zero an hour if your ego made you lose a good client cuz you scared them off.
More first timer advice....You're going to get more cheapos than "whales" asking you for stuff. Its rare to find anyone that isn't concerned about paying you AND their kid's braces that month. So in every negotiation, just try to put yourself in their position for a second. It'll help to keep things in persepctive. So be nice. Don't get frustrated if you think someone is trying to low ball you. Most likely they are just trying to make it clear they aren't a high roller without having to swallow too much pride.
With that said. Of course aim for getting as much as you can. Do this by just asking people what they can spend. Ya gotta be careful with your phrasing though.
DON'T SAY "so dude, like, uh, how much ya got"
DO SAY "I'll try work for whatever you have to spend." (Which should usually be true, if you are taking a break from watching Dexter's Lab to respond to their email).... "BUT realize, I'm tailoring the final delivery for YOUR budget. The more you can spend is obviously MUCH better, less is obviously not as great." (try not to say, "less is worse")
That should be your offer. Generally people want the best if they are personally invested in that project. So they'll be truthful about how high they can go, because its reflective of their own standard of quality.
You think a guy with $1000 to spend, really wants to talk you down to $300 ? Answer: No. IF he realizes that the end delivery is going to be $700 LESS cool. Your goal should be to make that clear to him (and a whole seperate forum should be sticking to that later on)
This isn't really an aggressive negotiating approach, but if you're reading this, you're probably new to being an independent something-something, and need the advice (and a steady workflow)
Just remember. You gotta have some skills to show off. You really need to have a portfolio that'll make them wet their pants with excitement at the thought of working with you. They should know that if they want your BEST, its not going to be by holding back a few C-notes.
So for the freshman, don't look at those rate sites. Don't get frustrated thinking you're worth anything the big boys make untill you've "made your bones"
Work for $15-20 an hour if you have to. It might suck, but it beats Mickey-D's. Create your best as often as you can, and eventually it'll pay off.
Here ends, Karma in the Workplace 101...the longest thing I've ever written.
PS Free .fla's