[Sigia-l] Freelance IA consulting: Discovering the cost of doing business

[Erin Malone]

Victor wrote: 

> Erin wrote "There is a going rate that some things cost - give or take a
> bit. It is
> important to find out what that fee is and stick to it. "  We have to
> remember this changes with the market environment. In the 1990's we could
> charge very high rates but today we can't. Again, I think this is an
> economic issue and we shouldn't let it bother our gung-ho humanitarian hearts.


I would have to agree with you Victor on this. When I wrote that we have to
find out the fee and stick to it, I was being simplistic for argument's
sake. There are economic and market conditions that affect everything we do
and rates we can set. I can't ask the same prices I asked 2 years ago out
here in CA - but I can talk to my friends who are freelancing and get a feel
for the current going rate and adjust according to my expertise and the
complexity of the job. I can then be competitive without dragging everything
down.

I highly recommend people get the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing
and Ethical Guidelines (http://www.gag.org/pegs/index.html). There are great
overviews of various aspects of this field (media design, web work etc) and
there are price ranges given that were compiled by averaging across a large
sample across the country. They notate and organize based on whether the
practitioners are entry, advanced, in a small office or a large office, east
coast, west coast etc.  It is a great way to see if you are in the ballpark
without worrying about price fixing or undercutting the industry. They
update the book every year so the prices and disciplines/roles covered are
constantly being updated.

It has been very helpful to  me over the years - especially when I first
started freelancing and wasn't sure what to charge for design versus
production versus project management etc.

Erin