You’re living proof it works, Joy! It’s amazing how you’ve blasted through those goals.

They’re an efficiently run machine, and one of the top markets in my field. Knowing when the funds will arrive makes it possible to budget. Unlike my former client, Late Payer, who could take six months to pay—the guy used every excuse in the book and usually only paid up when threatened with “alternate means of collection.” (And one of the two execs there had the audacity to try to connect with me on LinkedIn. NO WAY!)

I swear I wasn’t reading over your shoulder, Paula! As long as they remain predictable in their payments, I wouldn’t drop them. Unless there are other factors, of course. And if anyone can protect themselves in these situations, it’s you!

Mary, I typically quote per-project rates only because it’s easier for me to calculate my time. Clients like to know the full price upfront, and giving per-project rates avoids a client watching the clock.

The disadvantage would be underestimating your time commitment. I get around that by offering my per-project rate based on XX hours, with additional work costing $150/hr. Or I give the option to renegotiate once the hours are expended.

Luckily, I stashed my last big check from the same client allowed me to sock a couple more months’ worth of living expenses in my savings account.
Yes, I’ll have to transfer funds out of savings to pay my July bills, but that’s because I spent nearly $2,000 on home repairs and the first installment of my property taxes this month. Bad timing, but such is life.

A question- which is more professional, an hourly rate or a set rate per project?
I’ve had an hourly rate for a while now but am considering a shift to a set rate, to make marketing easier. What do you think? What are some of the pros and cons in your experience?