Comments on: How much for a day’s work?

By: Dougal

Dougal — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:13:20 +0000

Hi Mary, It is always difficult to cost ones self. I find the perennial problem is not costing my self out of the market. I have been consulting for just over a year after being retrenched in late 2008. I have been successful in what I do and network like mad. I set a goal of being in paid consulting work 10 days a month and anything less get billed at full rate + travel and incidentals. For more than 10 days, I adjust the rate but a full month will only see about a 20% reduction. I feel the price is not the key issue, it is the task at hand and this is what I focus on. The client, as I like to point out is looking for a result and by focusing on the result and deliverables ensures the price is not the focus.

By: marymulv

marymulv — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:12:49 +0000

@Claire
Experienced freelance journalists like yourself will have their own way of working out the “opportunity cost” for a particular piece of work. The one you suggest is very common and effective — provided the baseline (the rate for the newspaper articles) is reasonable.

Again, these calculations were intended as a guide for people not familiar with the world of freelance work, and freelance rates.

Mary
PS: And of course they like your writing skills

By: claireoconnell

claireoconnell — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:16:16 +0000

Hi Mary, interesting post and one that tackles a perennial head-scratcher for freelances.

I generally work it out as the number of newspaper articles I estimate I could write in the anticipated or logged time to do the consultancy job in question.

I’m lucky in that I meet a constant demand for newspaper articles, but after reading your post I figure perhaps I have been undercharging clients for consulting (and there I was thinking they liked me for my writing skills )

Thanks for the thought-provoking sums!

By: marymulv

marymulv — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:53:41 +0000

@Eddy: the main problem, and the reason I posted the blog and these calculations, is that (as you’ve realised) people in full-time employment often have no idea of what to charge, and end up seriously underestimating what they should charge (and underpricing what freelances have to charge).

In general, I’d expect professional freelance rates to fall somewhere in the (admittedly broad) range of €300-800, depending on expertise, experience, services offered, etc. Use my calculations to explore what you should charge, since your current salary is obviously a measure of your worth.

The folk over at http://www.creativeireland.com/ may be able to give you a better feel for going rates in your specific field.

@Joy: glad you found it useful. My own approach with new clients is to work with them, and see what can be achieved with their budget, to ensure a satisfactory end for everyone.

Mary M

By: eddy

eddy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:08:08 +0000

Hi there i am in full-time emoployment and occasionally do a bit of free lance work (I am graphic designer) I never know what to charge would you know the going rate for a freelance graphic designer for jobs such as website design, logodesign or stationary design

By: Joy Redmond

Joy Redmond — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:53:47 +0000

Good article but [to be honest I've a problem with both methods as they are focussed on what the freelancer wants and doesn't take other factors into consideration such as...]
Read the rest on my blog, Thanks all the same, excellent starting point. Cheers and happy freelancing.