I kicked the “I can do it for cheaper” from my dictionary ages ago
I bid for the price that suits me… I wont do it for cheaper!!!

Definitely stop “bidding cheaper”. It does nothing but hurt the industry. If you don’t believe me, look at DP or Sitepoint for design prices. People want website design + coding for $50.00!

Great list- some are a little obvious, but definitely worth spelling out. Thanks!

All good points.

#10 - Here’s kind of a funny story:

I was working on a project for a long time client that I have a great rapport with. The project was going great until I got to the point of having to convert some html templates over to a very restrictive e-commerce system. I was vocal about my frustrations with the system to my client, but let him know I’d make it work. I think this was around Halloween, one of those holidays that always seems to fall in the middle of the week, but you get hammered anyway.

I woke up the next morning with the worst hangover, not sick, but moving very slow. I sat down at the computer and slowly hacked the system into submission. I told my client about how the hangover slowed me down and got me through it.

His response - ‘I’m sending you alcohol.’

Cheers!

I agree with all of these. Sure, most of them are obvious, but crazily enough they have been used by many freelancers out there.

I’m guilty of “My prices are flexible”. I’m really going to take this seriously and think about why I say this and how to fix it. Basically I need to be more confident!

“I can do it cheaper” leads to a nasty cycle. Do it cheaper, then you’re still hurting for $$, so you “Do it cheaper” again. Get some good projects at real life prices, and things can turn around quickly, so you’re naot always scavenging for the next cheap project.

So you guys like number 1 eh? = )

I’m trying to work on #2

“2. “I am not the best…” — You may not be the best, but this isn’t exactly awe-inspiring for a client to hear, is it? I see lots of very successful independent professionals play down their strengths — sometimes to the point where the client looses confidence in them.”

I lost confidence in this article after that statement. If you’re writing content for everyone to read, please learn the difference between 1. loose and lose, 2. you’re and your, 3. they’re and their.

Thanks.

Each time I read these types of lists, I have to go in and clean up shop on my own site which gets a little better every day thanks to you kind folks. Though some things may be obvious to some people, other people (like me), appreciate the great advice.

Per #8, although it is great advice, I have to admit my favorite writers and friends all have potty mouths — but that’s a different niche of writing.

Thanks!

I can’t imagine anyone out there who takes freelancing seriously ever saying any of these. For me, it’s a bit of a nothing post, these are blatantly obvious, aren’t they??

Two more. If we get rejected on our prices, don’t bother to say these: “uh.. I’d give it to you at a lower price!” or “how much is your budget”.

Walk away and bow out gracefully if the prices don’t match.

I simply state my hourly rate and the amount of hours I think it’ll take to complete the project. I also generally itemize my estimates so the client knows up front what I’m charging for. There have been a couple times where I’ve had to adjust the specs on a project to bring the cost within their budget but they knew I was cutting parts out of the project and not my rate. 9 times out of 10 though, the client comes up with the full estimate cost.

I believe you can re-work some of the project specs but never your hourly rate. If a potential client has a problem with my rate, they don’t understand basic business, overhead and profit. If I estimate a project and the first thing discussed is price, I typically walk away. Don’t get me wrong, price is an important factor but shouldn’t the first item of discussion. Much like talking design during a fact-finding meeting.