In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at client disputes and lack of communication. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

I have been working as a freelancer since August. Recently I started at Elance and someone asked for something special. I sent him a proposal, he accepted, we made the job. When delivered he was apparently happy and paid. I charged $280.

Now I got an e-mail from him saying that he found someone (in the same country) who did the same job for him, charging only $35. I don’t know where he found someone to do that for that amount, but I charged him a fair amount considering the time that the job took, the quality of it, and what I clearly specified in the proposal.

He is also sending me insulting mails saying that my job was a joke and he is filling a dispute. I am actually a bit worried, not for the dispute, but because this issue made me think that maybe I am not calculating my fees well. I was not trying to overcharge the client…

I don’t know how to save this. Do you have any suggestions to deal with this situation?

If you charged him a fair amount and he accepted your proposal, you’re in the right. We’re often reluctant to see things in black and white, but that’s the truth. But as long as we deliver on what we offer, there’s no legitimate reason for a client to come back and complain. Sending insulting emails is wrong — just because we work as freelancers doesn’t mean that clients shouldn’t treat us with the same respect they treat their other business contacts with. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at hiring a sales person and getting started as a freelancer. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

I think this question is pretty good, but I’m not able to find good answers.

The context of the question: I’m a programmer working as a freelancer, things are going good, but most of the jobs I get are from 2 or 3 agencies.

One day my brother asks me if I wanted him to sell my services. I liked the idea, replacing agencies with a member of my family is very tempting. But now I face the problem of training him. Not only in what I do and what he can sell, but also in how to sell this kind of services.

I have seen freelancers using a sales person to bring in business for them, usually paying a cut of each project as a commission. Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it’s not so great.

The biggest problem that I’ve seen (and the reason I haven’t gone this route) is that if your sales person doesn’t have a good network — people actually interested in buying services from freelancers — he isn’t going to get very far. Before you dive in too deep, you need to talk through who your potential sales person thinks he’s going to sell to and why they may buy.

Once that issue is dealt with, you need to walk your sales person through your portfolio. He may need a copy of his own, at least of the perfect projects you show potential clients. He really needs to see the range of projects that you take on, though: break it down in terms of what the client wanted, what you delivered, how long it took and how much you charged. You have to have an understanding on what things cost (appropriately raised to be able to afford your sales person’s commission) and how long they take, or your sales person can put you in an awkward position.

Even though you’re talking about working with family, it’s a good move to write out what you’re both agreeing to and signing it. Whether you put things in the form of a letter of agreement or a contract, get it on paper. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at showing your clients the value of your work and invoice software. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at handling revisions and branding yourself as a company. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

I’d just started out full time freelancing and was wondering about something.

The situation is: the client briefed you in on a project, and you delivered it within due time. Little did you know, there was some things the client did not brief in specific details, and they got back with some feedback.

They were understandably apologetic that they were too busy to brief on some of those specific aspect, and thanked me for my work for the week. My question is, do I give them the invoice for the work I’d done, then work through their feedback, OR do I do the feedback, then add the hours to my initial invoice, and invoice them after I’d done the feedback?

This is a situation in which a contract or a letter of agreement comes in handy: ideally, you set out expectations for payment and revisions before you ever start working. It’s my personal preference to invoice for the whole project in one go, including any revisions I’ve done — but that’s partially due to the fact that I focus on fairly short term projects. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at invoices and SEO. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at late-paying clients. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question on Late Fees

Quick question: a VERY good client forgot to submit my invoice to accounts payable. Since this a repeat offense, I think I need charge for this. Should I charge a percentage of the total invoice?

Unless you’ve already established with a client that there are going to be late fees, it’s not good business to spring a request for a late fee on a client after the fact. Especially since we’re talking about a good (read high-paying?) client here, it’s much better to warn him in advance that there are going to be some changes. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at having too much work and bulking up your portfolio. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at starting a bigger business. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com. Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at freelancing as a programmer. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

I have some knowledge in HTML, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS. Can I start my career in freelance programming? If yes, how can I start that?

Becoming a freelance programmer can wind up meaning a lot of things. The languages you described in your question are those that you need for web development — not the sort of languages necessary to program a web app or a piece of software that actually gets installed on someone’s computer. That’s perfectly fine, provided that web development is the path that you really want to pursue.

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In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at clients with underlying problems. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at development work and domain names. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

Am starting out as an Indie PHP/RoR web developer, but really struggling to get work and now thinking twice about it . What are some of the known ways to get freelance work from a dev who is just starting out? I do have significant experience of about 3-4 years with pet projects/job experience and making websites for relatives and friends, e.t.c.

Because a lot of clients prefer to work with developers who have already built up a portfolio working for other clients, it can seem difficult to break in and get work without a good reputation of your own. There are a few strategies that can help you land some work and start building up a client base, though.

Continue Reading

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at the pros and cons of freelancing and saying no to clients. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

I wish to start as a freelance Graphic Designer. But I am a complete fresher with no experience with Freelancing and no good contacts to start with. I tried working with a publication house for around 3 months but did not enjoy the work I was assigned with.

I deep inside always wanted to work as a freelancer but don’t really have any idea how to get started with it. Also I feel a little confused whether it could be the right choice for a fresher like me. I also find myself in need of developing my portfolio for the same.

I’m still discovering my true interest and don’t know which direction to proceed in. I have multiple interests like photography, illustration, designing, etc. I want you to kindly guide me with the pros and cons to help me make the right decision.

It sounds like you’re facing some overwhelming choices in terms of what to do first to begin freelancing — as well as deciding what type of freelancing you might want to do. To break down a couple of the pros and cons, I’ve made two lists to compare. I’d like to note that because we all have different priorities, the pros and cons can differ in your own situation. Something that I might consider a pro could be a con to another freelancer.

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