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Topic: rate...
| Author | Message |
| urgent! | Posted – 12/5/2007 1:13:23 PM | show profile writing copy for a website. agreed on a per page rate now 2 dilemnas... 1) editor is asking for repeated - 3+ plus - tweakings, para changes - even after saying initially he liked it 2) asking for 'rewrites' of existing copy - asking me to 'spruce up' to fit well with new copy question - how to address #1 what to charge for #2 Thanks so much! |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 12/5/2007 1:44:12 PM | show profile There are two ways to handle this: 1. Agree in advance how many drafts they get. 2. Charge a higher fee and then allow them as many rewrites as they want within a specified period. |
| urgent! | Posted – 12/5/2007 2:07:24 PM | show profile thanks dribbledrive. Too late to agree in advance how many drafts... how could I handle at this point? And, was not clear for #2, I'm not editing my copy - but someone elses's - just fixing it up, making it sound more like the language of all other copy - more editing, than copywriting - not sure how to charge - would imagine less than copywriting charge. thanks! |
| Upward Bound | Posted – 12/6/2007 11:27:12 AM | show profile I get $30/hr for print magazine copy editing. Not sure how Web would compare... Is charging by the hour an option for you? |
| pob | Posted – 12/6/2007 8:38:13 PM | show profile Yeah, per hour could be the way to go for the extra (unexpected) work. They key is to approach the client and be honest about this being work beyond the scope and to tell the client you have a solution to propose, like a per hour charge with an estimate of the number of hours or an estimate that's reworked altogether. I usually rework the estimate, adding a flat fee for one, two or three rounds of revisions, or using a higher number altogether for the project fee and including "up to X revisions" in that number. Even for flat-rate projects, I usually include a line a the bottom of the estimate that says something like this: If additional work is requested, it will be billed at the $xx/hour rate. Additional work to be performed only as further agreed upon by the client and vendor. I really never wind up using this, although sometimes I wind up re-estimating when a project's scope changes. What it does though is let the client know upfront that additional work and requests aren't free. Sometimes clients aren't trying to get away with not paying -- they're just not in our shoes and they are happy we are available and willing to help make projects better. We have to look out for the financial end of things because they won't do it for us. Also, as for the rate, this is general advice I always give on this board. As freelancers, we have no one fighting for pay increases for us. Hourly rate or project fee, it's up to us to push the envelope and ask for a little more than what's in our comfort zone. Take whatever you're comfortable asking for, for example, and add $5/hour. Look at the number and think whether you'd be willing to fight for it, or what you'd do if the client pushes back. What if (using either number) the client balks. What would you be willing to do and what wouldn't you? Make sure you've thought this through beforehand. I recommend having the general discussion about revisiting the estimate in person or by phone (NOT email), but then It's find to send the estimate as a PDF via email. This way you are personal and up front when you need to be, but then you give the client the same space you wanted in coming up with the numbers so they can review and see what they think. Good luck. |
| urgent! | Posted – 12/7/2007 6:31:29 PM | show profile I have such trouble though with the 'per hour' thing - as I never clock myself and end up doing more for less $$ - when you charge by the hour - do you literally look at the clock - then say go - and start working?! |
| Upward Bound | Posted – 12/8/2007 3:22:29 PM | show profile Lately I've been working in-house, so I get paid my hourly rate for every hour I spend at the office. If they want me there but don't have any work for me to do, I still get paid. When I'm working from home on a project with an hourly rate I've used an inexpensive software program to help me track. You tell it when you start workin and when you quit. It the software senses I'm idle, it'll aske me if I want to log the down time. Also, it adds a level of credibility if your employer starts questioning your timesheet (not that you can't cheat with the program too...) It also makes it easier to track multiple projects and keep an eye on your efficiency and time management. It's called AllNetic Timetracker and it's found online here: http://www.allnetic.com/working-time-tracker/ It's not the prettiest software and I think it's still fairly buggy on Vista, but it's only $30. There's also the pen and paper method of tracking your hours... |
