negotiating hourly pay
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- shellin
I have a potential new contract gig, and they asked what my rate was. After telling them, they asked if I could be flexible with this. The good news is I already have another part time gig thats going well, and I am not desperate to take this one. I used to be more flexible in the past with my rate, when I had less experience. But knowing that I've gotten my rate many times, I know I am worth it, and don't feel I should compromise. I guess it depends if the project is worth it.
Anyone been in my shoes? Thoughts? How do I respond to them, without sounding money hungry? Thanks!
- arthur0
Is it a job you really want? is it worth your time? If you could take or leave the job, stand firm.
It's not money hungry to respect your time.
- CheDouglas0
Agreed stand firm unless it is a job you can already see ending up in your folio.
- doesnotexist0
see what they offer I guess, no harm in that. if it's lower than say 20% (or whatever) of your normal, say sorry.
- rafalski0
Is it full time? Is it long term? It's ok to go a little below your freelance rate if it is, as it usually secures you more continuous work than freelance.
If you have already a gig going, I assume it is part time. The fact that you have something else is a strong point in your negotiations, meaning (unspokenly) "if someone's paying that, he's probably worth it"Will you be able to renegotiate in some time? It's usually hard after you agreed on something. You can always temporarily discount the rate, rather than lower it, i.e for the first month or so, as a starting incentive towards a new client or something.. but you'll feel better if you negotiate pay that you feel good with from the beginning.
- Llyod0
take yearly salary you want + the cost of benefits like insurance 401k and what not / 2080 = hourly rate
The point is that contractors get paid more. More is also expected out of them.
- tkmeister0
when people ask me if i can be flexible with my rate, i always take it as a bad sign. you bend over once, you bend over forever.
- letters20
I'm in agreement that there are other variables at play - the value of the project for you, how "flexible" the client is requesting you be, etc. However, that being said, usually when you compromise on your cost it shows your "flexibility" which is then further taken advantage of in the form extra revisions, time, etc (not necessarily intentional on the part of the client, but this often happens). When the time has a value for both you and the client it is likely better respected and used more efficiently.
Often if the job is worth some compromise I inquire about the clients compromise - it should be a two-way street - can they compromise on the time frame or the deliverables? This usually also helps to put into perspective the compromise and its respective value.
- Soler0
Quote them $25 more per hour than you want in the first place.
- traut0
ive been in your shoes a few times especially dealing with smaller local businesses and what not they dont realize the amount of work that really goes into what they get and why they should pay that amount ive been flexible a few times but it really depends on if you want the project or not ive bent on it when i know its a cool client and i want to help them out. or the project is going to be fun.
- bokswagen0
There's a reason your going rate is on whatever amount it is right now, so stick with it!