Good luck!

How about you Elliot, do you think that your gonna be having a hard time that your already back for freelance?

And whilst we’re on the subject, are you going to be posting on here whilst you’re away so we can keep op with what you’re up to?

Sounding like everything is going to plan so far.

Are you looking to work solely on your own projects or will you be ’subbing’ to other companies? Either way I look forward to seeing some more quality work from you.

All the best.

Best wishes to you and Sam.

“… control over my own workload…”

Just remember: that goes both ways. Schedule too much work and your workload will control you. And when you’re the boss, there’s no one to complain to about the long hours. Haha.

Also, if you go through a dry spell, try and get some American clients. Loads of positive energy and fair pay.

Good luck!

Another great thing of being independent is the fact that you can pour your passion into your work without end - it really does make the job more worthwhile and progressive.

Hope it all works out and that you’ll still be able to treat us on some of those nice blogposts.

I’ve been subscribing your blog off RSS for a while. As a beginning freelancer, your website and some of the work that you have done provided me some start points and insights. Of course, some magazines (nice article written in the .net magazine) here and there helped as well.

Indeed, there’s a lot of freedom and self-control involved with freelancing, and you’re right - that’s why we do it. Though, so far I’ve only built one site, and am doing another temp job at the same time to pay the bills.

I have a question though, and I was wondering if you could shed some light.

At the beginning of my (first) project, I invoiced my client with a certain amount that I estimated from the top of my head. Towards the end of it, I felt that I should charge more. And in doing a bit more research than I had orginally gone through, I realised I was right. I do feel that I am in a right to be charging a bit more for some of the work that I have done. However, I have a problem getting over the mindset that “I invoiced them a certain amount, and we agreed to it.”

Kind of confusing. Should I then simply lower the standard of my work because what I’m charging them would, say, only accounts for feature A, but not feature B? It doesn’t feel quite right.

Please advise.

Tony

Best of luck Elliot. I’m interested to see what you post on to-do list apps - I’m on the hunt for a good solution myself.

@ Ritchie: Not sure what you mean, I’m afraid… “hard time” in what way?

@ Epic Alex: I’ll be working full-time while I’m away in Norway and I’ve got myself pretty much booked out for the entirety of my trip. I’ll be posting on here as usual, and in fact my working / blogging life will be pretty much identical to how it is in England - just with different surroundings!

@ Bob Jones: I’ve collaborated with people on a number of freelance projects I’ve done over the years and this is definitely something I’ll continue with when required (usually when I need some development stuff done). Most of the projects I have booked in right now will just be solo efforts, but I’m going to be doing some Wordpress stuff with Adii in the coming months.

@ Dickson Fong & Grant: You’re absolutely right! Wise words.

@ Celso Soares: Thanks for the advice - that certainly sounds like a good idea. As for American clients… it just so happens that most of my current clients are American!

@ Tony: As harsh as it sounds, I think you’re going to have to stick to the rate you originally quoted. You can only really charge your client more if they start shifting the goalposts, and even then that will still have to be based on your agreed daily rate. If I were you I’d write this one off as ‘research’ and a tough lesson learned, then bump your price up for the next project.

@ Magnus Jepson: I’m going to Trondheim because my girlfriend is going travelling in the far east for two months, and I thought it was a good chance to get a change of scenery and have a little adventure of my own. I considered going pretty much anywhere in the world (as all I need is my laptop and an internet connection) but settled on Trondheim because I have some good friends there and absolutely loved it when I visited briefly last year.

I freelanced a bit before I got the job I have now. Though, I was quite young then, so I didn’t have quite as many options. :)

I have a full-time job right now, and It’s especially fun. But the freedom of freelancing is certainly enticing.

Best of luck in for the weeks to come. I hope you’ll share some of your work with us!

By the way, whensw the next cooking with beer item?

@ Tony
Pricing is a little bit tricky. I personally itemize different site elements & functionality and give each one a price that is a) roughly based off of time required to complete, and b) sounds like it would make sense to the client. I think when you itemize things, the pricing is a little easier to swallow for the client, and it all adds up pretty quickly.

To make sure I don’t get stuck with extra work under a flat rate, I always let the client know a) how many design mockups the price includes, b) I will correct my mistakes for free c) I will give them 1 hr of changes for free, and anything beyond that is my hourly rate. It all sounds pretty appealing, but specifying these things really benefits me more than the client.

Also, you should explain the development process to the client beforehand, and ask if that sounds good to them. They might have a different idea of how it should be developed, and if so, you’ll be thankful that you talked about it. I have one client that basically wants to “hold my hand” through the entire process, over the phone. It’d be pretty annoying, if I wasn’t charging hourly and watching the billable time tick away as he tells jokes and constantly asks for changes. Every time he calls, I start the timer (SlimTimer, mind you. Google it, great app).

Also, whenever you feel comfortable doing so, start charging new clients higher rates. In two years (starting at the age of 17, in Los Angeles), I’ve gone from my first $200 brochure site, to $400 brochure sites, to $600, and now around $800. My hourly rate has gone from $15, to $20, and is now $25. As I start looking for my next client, I’ll be asking for $30/hr :)

There is a great conference in Switzerland in 2 weeks about “going solo”… I will attend it and really hope to get feedbacks from long time freelancers… www.going-solo.net

Bye

I used to be my own business (in an unrelated field) and currently work in web development two days freelance and 3 part time at a botique agency, but I’m definitely considering running a business again.

There’s nothing like the rewarding feeling of working for yourself!

All the best

@ Chris OB: I’ve only been freelancing for three(ish) weeks (full-time, anyway), so I haven’t ever thought that yet. And I hope I never do!

@ Francis: I think the software you’re looking for is Things!

I tried Things few months ago but was not convinced. I went on their website after your comment and saw that they are going to implement an iCal “link”, which seems to be a great feature. I’ll give it another try ! Thx !