I prefer steady clients with a lot of variety in what I do for them.

I'm planning a series on freelance pricing, and in preparation, I'm conducting a survey of freelance rates. The survey is completely anonymous. I'd love for you and your readers to participate. The more responses I get, the more accurate the information will be.

Lillie Ammann
Freelance Writing Rates Survey

One thing I've never lost sight of, though, is the hourly rate conversion. In fact, I track my hourly rate on a daily and a per-project basis, just to make sure I'm not charging clients too little.

There's also a great tool for converting your annual income goal into an hourly income goal, here:

http://freelanceswitch.com/rates/

The page format looks funny on my screen, but I think that's because I'm still using IE6…

I no longer take on any project someone tosses my way. I am learning how to tell whether or not a prospect is worth pursuing. I generally stay away from start-ups, but there are exceptions which must be qualified.

I've felt the pressure to declare a specialty, but it doesn't seem to be the right thing for me to do right now, although I can see the wisdom in doing so. Right now I'm working on targeting the right people. Great topic!

I just completed my first assignments for two new clients. One is a long-running industry trade I've followed for quite some time. The other is for a new consumer website connected to a national trade association. They offered me three articles, but I only took one. That's my vetting process. They seemed legit, had strong industry connections, and a detailed contract, but I wouldn't consider multiple assignments until I had evidence that they were on the up and up. They paid upon invoice, so I hope they will become a steady gig.

I'd be bored the death having to cover the same topics every day. I need a variety of subjects to keep my interest. I do specialize, but my real motto is, "I'll write about almost anything, as long as it's in English."

Like Devon, I've never had what others might call true financial security. (I grew up in a single-parent family with a dad who was a freelance artist/cartoonist!). Yet somehow I've always managed. Tenacity and curiosity help make it happen.

1) Client must be a large enough company to generate multiple projects for me throughout the year.

2) Client must regularly or at least occasionally use freelancers and understand the value they bring to the table.

3) My goal is for each client to be worth at least $1500 in annual billing, and that is the absolute floor. A "gold level" client to me is worth $12,000 or more per year, and I strive to have at least three of these each year.

4) Average invoice is expected to be at least $500.

5) If company is a startup, client is knowledgeable about everything it takes to succeed in marketing, has all his ducks in a row, and is not delusional that a single mailing will make him rich.

6) Client is respectful, clearly understands my value (does not consider me a commodity), promptly signs and returns contracts, promptly pays deposits and invoices. If client negotiates about price, it is done respectfully.

I don't turn my computer on for anything less than $400 these days. Most new relationships with me start with larger projects worth at the very least $1000. If a new client wants just one press release, or one short article, or whatever, I usually refer them to someone else.

Part of it is that I'd rather have the flexibility of one-offs rather than regular clients. I've never, in my entire working life, been truly count on a fixed, regular amount of paycheck — even in B'way, you can close at any moment.

I know what number I need to hit and what number I want to hit, as far as income, and i hit it. I just don't do it with a lot of regular clients.

I do get a lot of REPEAT clients, which is different, but I don't count on them.

I go with my gut. And, sometimes I'm wrong. I learn and move on.

But I don't want to have to do x pieces for x client per week or month. I have enough trouble dong my columns!

I need more freedom and more flexibility. I'm willing to trade the financial security for it because I've never had financial security, and somehow, I always manage.

Without taking mill content/crap wage jobs.