Re: Pricing for PHP programming???

Ok.....I want to start doing outside (extra) contract work...independantly. I have had only one client....they loved the work.....and I am having problems finding more...I think I am just not looking in the right spot....where would be a good spot to drum up bussiness....doesn't have to be a place online....but how did everyone get so many customers? Where do you get them? nick ----------------------------------------------------------- Nick.Stankus Software Engineer Logicon/Sterling Federal 402-232-7870 ----------------------------------------------------------- "There are two things that are infinite; Human stupidity and the universe. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein ----- Original Message ----- From: <szii@sziisoft.com> To: "Wade D" <suedeuno@yahoo.com> Cc: <php-general@lists.php.net> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 12:51 PM Subject: Re: [PHP] Pricing for PHP programming??? | When in doubt, go low - esp when you're just starting out. If you're a good | coder, start at USD$20. You may go from there once you're more comfortable | with the process, have a small list of clientele, and have refined your | working environment (it's a little different than working for a company.) | If you start too high, you risk prematurely damaging your reputation, as well | as having difficulty finding clients. Some places, like here in | California, you | need to stay within the "going rate" which is all over the place for a coder. | You'll have to evaluate it on a job-by-job basis. If you're starting out, | I wouldn't | go above $60/hr, but it's entirely up to you. If you don't contract on a | per project | basis, and stick to an hourly rate you have the option of raising that rate | at a | later time. If you do it on a per project basis, you can simply raise the | rate | between projects. If you're too high, and have to come down it looks bad. | Tactfully done, it can give the subtle illusion that they're getting a | "good deal" | on you. It's all about image at the negotiating table, and -percieved- value. | After that it's up to you to make it happen. | | Above all, watch them taxes. Independent Contractors get hit (in the US) | with a business tax as well as the expected income tax. 1099-MISC | income (ie, independent contract work) can really be a nasty shock if | you don't account for the extra tax. When I was first starting out, my first | year, I didn't know about it and ended up approx $10k in debt, as well as | being penalized for not making quarterly tax payments. Not a big debt, | but it was definately an unwelcome shock come April 15th. | | In this field your reputation is EVERYTHING. The customer is always right, | and you should do everything you can to make them FEEL good. Even if | thing's aren't going okay, as soon as they start doubting your skill, your | decisions, they may doubt using you. If they like you they'll return, | and often times will refer you to other companies. It's all about great code | and a "warm fuzzy" for the client. | | 'Luck | | -Szii | | At 11:23 AM 2/2/2001 -0600, you wrote: | >So how do you know what to charge when youre independent and just starting? | > | > | >_________________________________________________________ | >Do You Yahoo!? | >Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com | > | > | >-- | >PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) | >To unsubscribe, e-mail: php-general-unsubscribe@lists.php.net | >For additional commands, e-mail: php-general-help@lists.php.net | >To contact the list administrators, e-mail: php-list-admin@lists.php.net | > | | -- | PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) | To unsubscribe, e-mail: php-general-unsubscribe@lists.php.net | For additional commands, e-mail: php-general-help@lists.php.net | To contact the list administrators, e-mail: php-list-admin@lists.php.net