I was recently laid off and have decent instructional design skills and experience building elearning courses.
I've been asked to do some freelance work but am stuck on what to charge for my services. I don't want to charge too much, but at the same time I don't want to undersell my skills. Can anyone give me some general guidelines for freelance work?
I think anyone billing at $50-60 per hour is selling himself/herself short. Your plumber/auto mechanic charges you more than that! Factor in self-employment tax, health insurance, the costs of marketing/web hosting, software, hardware, plus the fact every hour you work will not be a billable hour (acquiring clients, self-development, etc.) and you'll be living like a pauper despite your years of experience and unique (and in-demand) skills.
We need to stop marginalizing ourselves as instructional designers/eLearning developers by undervaluing our services and expertise.
You made your point well. I‘d like to add - in teams you‘ll also allways have coordination losses which you don‘t have as a one man show :-) So that‘s also value for the customer!
I hope in the few YEARS that this discussion was in play, things have changed significantly that you might want to also check out a more recent version of similar sounding situations...
29 Replies
I think anyone billing at $50-60 per hour is selling himself/herself short. Your plumber/auto mechanic charges you more than that! Factor in self-employment tax, health insurance, the costs of marketing/web hosting, software, hardware, plus the fact every hour you work will not be a billable hour (acquiring clients, self-development, etc.) and you'll be living like a pauper despite your years of experience and unique (and in-demand) skills.
We need to stop marginalizing ourselves as instructional designers/eLearning developers by undervaluing our services and expertise.
Hi Eric
You made your point well. I‘d like to add - in teams you‘ll also allways have coordination losses which you don‘t have as a one man show :-) So that‘s also value for the customer!
Stefan
I hope in the few YEARS that this discussion was in play, things have changed significantly that you might want to also check out a more recent version of similar sounding situations...
CHEERS!
Hi Everyone!
Can we relaunch the debate on going rate for a freelancer. Specially those who wear several hats?
Céline
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