There are hundreds of opportunities open each day for freelancers. Many of the websites that require a freelancer to bid for a project can become quite competitive. Some of the buyer expectations are high when it comes to quality, but in the same breath, they want it for the lowest dollar.
So, how much should you get paid as a freelancer?
Your expertise can often effect how you decide how much you should earn per hour or for certain projects. As you work on more projects, you know how much time is involved and can develop a good bidding price for future projects.
It is important to give an honest bid. Everyone needs shelter and food, or has a family to provide for. It is understandable that you will want to bid an amount that is fair in your opinion in order to be able to survive. However, some of the buyers can be familiar with how much time a project will take and even though they are looking for the talent, they are looking for the best deal in the end – monetary-wise included. In fact, a lot of jobs posted at freelance websites are created by project managers.
The Ugly Side
But as a lot of freelancers know, it sometimes can feel insulting when a buyer states in their project that they will only pay so much money when the work is nearly twice or three times more. Too often, especially for web and graphic designers, it can be a very ugly experience.
As I had mentioned about project managers early – they will want to make as much money as possible while your cut is merely a portion of what they will bring in. It is a pretty clever method of getting paid as a “middle man” or “middle woman” and not surprising that they will tack their business links onto a site you designed regardless if you agreed to a non-disclosure agreement or not.
Make sure to clarify whether you can claim the project or not. If they want an NDA, then charge more for it. While a project manager may not think it is fair, they are getting to freely put their link on a site they never designed and will be reaping the rewards of some good SEO link juice as long as their client’s site stays open.
Are Freelancer sites effective?
Yes, and sometimes no. A lot of times if you are a freelancer that has great work, but your bid is higher, you might be overlooked. The freelance websites are a great place to find some work, but honestly, a lot of web and graphic designers approach businesses and pitch their services in person or by email or through social networking.
Why? Because this is where a freelancer can build honest relationships.
A lot of times the freelancer websites are good for people starting to build their portfolio. While the price is cheaper, at least for a time there is work and for the future, something to add for future clients to look in on.
Not getting the work and money you deserve?
If you are not getting paid your worth, then you need to find a new way to market your services. Becoming successfully paid freelancer is not an overnight success story in the making. It takes years to do. In the end you are the one that will control when you work and how much you will get paid. As much as it would be great to lay down solid amounts for a freelancer to go by in this article, it would not be much help. There are so many designers with different expertise levels that putting a definite price would be like an A student breaking the learning curve in a classroom of average students.
What are factors that a freelancer should consider when charging clients or bidding at freelance web sites?