What I’m reading: The Pearl by John Steinbeck
What’s on the iPod: Good Arms vs. Bad Arms by Frightened Rabbit
Amen for convalescing! I’m back this week in force, though the work is relatively scant. I can’t sign up for much due to an upcoming vacation, but I can get stuff lined up and maybe start something larger (or finish something smaller).
Had a nice weekend. Saturday my plan was to read and do nothing. Plans were interrupted when he enticed me with a “Let’s go to the beach” statement. I don’t care if my neck were falling off – you dangle the beach in front of me and I’m already in the car with the roof down. Unfortunately, we spent an hour and a half stuck on that wretched expressway (and does anyone else note the irony of the word “express” in clogged traffic?). He suggested lunch at Reading Terminal Market, then back in the car headed toward Atlantic City.
We walked the beach a little and when I tired, he drove us over to Brigantine to what I call the “fishing beach” – trucks and fishing poles abound. I sat down as he put up his birding scope. One thing I did notice – a gorgeous red fox lounging in the dunes overlooking the flock of skimmers. He was stunning. We watched the sun go down and we headed back home. Sunday, I finished one book and started another.
I’ve been seeing lots of talk here and there about writers posting their rates on their websites. It’s a position I didn’t support for a long time, but now, I’m beginning to see the wisdom of it. Here’s what posting your rates does:
It weeds out the client pack. This is the main reason I’m reconsidering my position. I get way too many client interactions that end when they see my rate. Better to send them to my site where they can view them and save us both some time.
It establishes a market value. But only if you do it right. Imagine advertising your hourly rate as $45 only to find other writers are charging $125. Are you a bargain or are you cheap? Hmmm.
It positions you as a serious professional. By this I mean potential clients are going to see you as someone who has earned that rate by building a career full of successes.
However, I’m totally against rates being posted for this reason:
Clients start counting hours. Tell them you charge $100 an hour and watch them watch the clock. Seriously, you’ll get clients who say absurd things like “Just keep it to under two hours.” This for a 15-page white paper.
How do you handle rates on your website? Do you list them? If so, do you list hourly or per project?
15 responses to “Rates (and Why I May Have Changed My Mind)”
I'm so glad to hear you are on the mend, Lori! I have posted my rates on my sites for years, for the first reason on your list; it weeds out tire kickers. It's not foolproof, but I don't get nearly as many prospects with sticker shock as I used to. I don't quote an hourly rate, however. I post projects and list a fee range associated with that type of project. Once a client and I have discussed the project in detail, I give them a firm number within that range. This has worked well for me for a number of years.
I did and then I took it off. I have played with the idea again, as I have been considering adding consulting fees.
I am like Eileen in that I charge project fees. I totally detest hourly quotes for me-just too much tracking. For one thing, project fees are easier to get the 50% upfront and secondly, everyone knows what the fee is going in. I just prefer it.
One thing I would suggest is putting a date on your fees-with some verbiage along the lines of "fees in effect for 2010 only." You know how all things internet live to infinity and beyond.
Glad you're back up & kicking, Lori.
Woohoo! Another convert! 😉
I wouldn't worry much about the "counting hours" issue. There's a really simple fix. Don't post hourly rates. Use your base hourly rate and your knowledge of how long project types take you on average, and turn them into flat project rates. If you're not comfortable listing one rate for white papers for example, post a project rate range (like $3000 – 10,000). Note that it depends on things like length and research necessary, and then give a more tailored quote within that range. There's no clock-watching involved, and prospects immediately know the minimum possible quote they'll get, and that there's a good chance it will be higher. The cheapskates who'd want you to do it for two hours' worth of fees will run and not waste your time, and those serious buyers will go in knowing what to expect. 🙂
Dating rate charts is a great idea Cathy. 🙂
Good idea, Jenn, about the range-gee, wonder why you used the example of a white paper. 😉
Haven't ever listed them, but I'm being won over by the concept. I'm in the process of re-doing my main corporate site and methinks that a rate chart will be part of the plan. What fun is life without a little experimenting, eh?
The conversions are coming fast and furious, Jenn! And that's a great point about not posting the hourly, as is Cathy's about expiration dates.
I love hanging around with smart businessfolk 🙂
I'm revising my web site right now, but I don't plan to post rates, for three reasons.
First, I don't want to lowball myself. New clients may pay more than what I consider my going rate.
Second, the projects I do vary wildly in their level of difficulty (I'm a book editor and proofreader). Quoting a per-page rate or even a ballpark project fee before I've seen the manuscript or a sample of it would be foolish.
Finally, I don't want to scare off new clients who may be willing to pay more once I've proven myself. One client paid me a decent per-page rate for proofreading, then upped it after I'd been working for the client for some time.
Nice to see you back in action, Lori! I don't post my rates on my website because my rates are all over the place for various types of projects. However, I've started including them in job application emails. I've wasted WAY too many phone hours discussing projects only to find out that the client isn't paying anywhere near what I charge. It still happens because I can't quote rates on some types of assignments until I learn more about them, but at least it's cut down on the unsavory percentage.
Glad to see you're back — and your front. Just caught your tweet. On the items you listed:
It weeds out the client pack. – Agreed and I'm sick of wasting time on communications that go nowhere.
It establishes a market value. — True, but for editors, the value has a broad spectrum. Rates are all over the place!
It is positions you as a serious professional. — True, but that sentence needs a serious editing. Or a serious editor. I'm available!
Although I usually bill by the hour, I seldom tell clients how many hours a job actually took.
When I had rates posted, few if any jobs resulted. Saying nothing brings a deluge of mostly cheapskates.
Perhaps the tactic of posting a range of rates would weed out all those who want "freebies" (yes! I am still getting those!) and attract what I call potential clients who are "serious writers."
Really, you're writing for $100 an hour? I'd better boost my rates again, cause editing is sooo much more difficult.
Your turn — find all my typos.
Ack! A typo! Georganna, if you weren't around, I'd be lost in my own excessive verbiage. 🙂 And if I weren't sitting here on an Alavert high, I'd be editing. 🙂
Yep, $100/hr for writing. That doesn't include magazine articles, obviously.
Eileen, good seeing you again! Feeling pretty decent beyond too dizzy after taking an allergy pill, but that's something else entirely, isn't it? 🙂
LOVE the idea of a price range because it establishes a base price that's within reason.
Cathy, great reminder. Thank you!
Jenn, did I mention the hour counter when we had lunch? I'll fill you in later, but it's happened a few times. That's why your suggestion would work beautifully.
Jake, you've inspired me to put a rate chart together. Hey, if you're willing to leap into that area, so am I. 🙂
Jill, exactly the reasons I've not posted rates, too. The only way around it I can see is to poll other writers for their price ranges on particular projects. Gives a better idea of what you should be charging maybe.
Kathy, that's a super idea. I normally get to the price first, but sometimes it's tough, especially when it takes two or three emails to get the project fleshed out. But yes, it's a great idea to have standard price ranges handy. Great idea.
I was going to leave that typo up, Georganna, but I was getting hives looking at it. 🙂
Foxes at the beach… I mean 4 footed one? Must be an east coast thing.
Both on my site and when I'm talking to a client I say something like "I base my charges on $125 an hour, but I like to work out a flat fee – that way you don't get billed for a mistake I made and I don't get shorted for the inspiration I have in the shower.
I'm not too concerned about what you or other writers charge… we all have to find what works for us.
btw, posting what I charge only lessens, but does not eliminate those who hope I'll write for free or for way less than I say I will… lots of optimists out there.
So glad you're feeling better my dear.
Glad to hear you're feeling better, and you had a nice time at the beach.
What I'm thinking of doing on my next web page update is posting a minimum amount for a project on my FAQ page. Something like:
My minimum to begin any project is $300.
Think that will scare away the cheapo tire kickers?
Lori – I honestly don't remember, but feel free to remind me at the next one. Always love a good horror story. 😉
Stacy – Putting a bare minimum is another good option for cutting down on the tightwads. I've already decided the next time I decide to open things up to a new client I'll only be taking on blogging projects, and there will be a minimum order required (probably 10 posts per month) — another way to cut out those with limited budgets where you'll have to put in a lot of time getting to know the market and company only to do minimal work.
Yeah, mine are listed. I figure then that anyone who actually clicks through to the Contact Me part- or calls me- is serious. I also have a minimum 150$ for any project that I stick to. Even if it's a 2 page something, I won't even bother for less than 150$.
Anne, LOL! Yes, a four-footed one. And it's the first time ever I've seen one at the beach. In the back yard, yes. Beach? Never.
Stacy, that's a super idea! Yes, I think that's a good way to set a precedent. Thanks for the idea!
Jenn, you'll love it. 🙂
Hi Allena! Good seeing you here. I have a similar minimum – a three-hour minimum for small projects. The exceptions – blog posts and press releases. But you're right. Anything under $150 costs us more to touch the keyboard than to move on.