I found this job offer online today:
That's barely enough to cover the two lattes I would need to get it done that fast! I hope whoever took the job has a real job. Job bidding sites are just a bad way to find work, as are these other payment schemes.
Urgent need for CSS designer to convert a PSD to CSS. Need it done in 1 hour. Pay: $10
That's barely enough to cover the two lattes I would need to get it done that fast! I hope whoever took the job has a real job. Job bidding sites are just a bad way to find work, as are these other payment schemes.
Update: today's crappy offer was an SEO writing job - 300 words for $2! And they retain all rights. At least there was no time limit!
Grr… that is something that really irks me. It really bothers me when I see ads for this kind of thing. And they are usually looking to have something designed for next to nothing.
Another thing that bothers me is when employers post ads looking for someone who will switch hats. i.e., WANTED: Graphic Designer/Administrative Assistant – $8.50/hr.
This ad is a perfect example of how undervalued our industry has become. Particularly from those who know nothing about it and what’s actually involved.
One of the hardest things for freelancers, I think, is managing a client’s expectations. Particularly if they think you are desperate for the work.
Competition sites can be fun, but should be view purely as that. Being primarily a techie, but with some graphic design skills, I do take part in the occasional logo / design comp just to improve my skills in that area, but always without the expectation of winning.If I do, it’s a bonus. And lets face it, how many $100 logos would you need to create to earn a living?
Someone once asked their client – would you want your plumber to do your web design work? Plumbers charge over $50 an hour.
I think we have the option of sticking to the realistic prices. Price competition has to stop at a certain level.
I have given up on sites like GetAFreelancer where competitors *say* they will build an ecommerce site for $300 (often they jack up the cost later, or fail to deliver)
However, when I first hung out my freelance shingle, I trolled Craigslist and have retained a few clients from there for over 6 years. One of them told me I am the only good developer he ever found on Craigslist.
I have a free Guru.com account and I have not been able to get one bid – I do not know if I am underbid or would need to upgrade my membership – luckily I do not need to.
I am now inundated with work from many ongoing clients and partners (designers need a good programmer, and vice-versa).
I have also found LinkedIn to be a good place to develop connections that turn into clients, answering questions helps.
On The Webmaster Forums there is a long – and hilarious – thread: Will pay $15.00 for a logo design via Paypal
I think we should ask clients and potential clients to choose one:
Fast, Cheap or Good?
All clients and web design businesses need to accept this fact:
Price = Effort + Quality + Costs
If businesses do their price calculations correctly, the whole market will benefit. Generally, new entrants cut down on price.
True, such sites lead to competition for bottom, but on other hand it also allow small site owners option to get there work done without too much fuss and at reasonable artes.
think we have the option of sticking to the realistic prices
@program: Of course you have the option of sticking to realistic prices, but there will always be clients who aren’t realistic, and there will always be designers who will take a loss to offer the lowest price.