Re: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?

Subject: Re: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?
From: Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:47:42 +0800

Hi Pippa -

> - How do you decide whether to quote a fixed price,
> or a daily rate for projects?

I always quote an hourly rate. The jobs are usually not well defined,
and even the ones that seem clear cut usually turn out not to be once I
start. I don't want to be stuck with a fixed quote to do an expanding job.

Clients often have an unrealistic notion of how long a job will take. I
usually say I can give them a much firmer idea of how long it will take
after I've spent a few days asking questions and planning. Or, if they
have a fixed budget or time period for the doco work, I tell them what I
can get done within that time or budget.

> - For a large project that could span two or three months,
> is it reasonable to ask for a percentage of the final payment
> 'up front' ? I've looked at various websites and opinions vary
> from none, right up to 50%.

I wouldn't expect money up front but it is reasonable to bill in stages
for anything longer than a few weeks. Not many people can comfortably
wait three months plus X weeks for the invoice to be processed before
they get paid.

> - Again, for long projects, is it the norm to stagger payments
> across agreed milestones?

If it's the sort of project where you complete some deliverables before
the end, then I guess so. Usually I just invoice monthly, and separately
make sure that the client is happy that progress is being made.

I've never had a problem with a client being reluctant to pay, but I
know others on techwr-l have. That's why it's good to put in your
contract that you own the copyright on the work until you are paid in full.

Cheers

Stuart
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Previous by Author: RE: Numbering graphics in Word
Next by Author: Re: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?
Previous by Thread: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?
Next by Thread: Re: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads