Last week I asked thee independents (aka fr**lancers), “Do you lower your standard hourly rate for longer-term contract work?”
It was a curiosity brought on by my own tendencies to feel the need to bend to potential clients’ requirements and the recent release of the AIGA|Aquent Survey of Design Salaries for 20111.
The results are in. In the majorities, out of 23 votes, ten of you said you cut your rates by 10-25%. Close behind were the steadfast eight who said they never adjust their rate, period:
At first, I wondered if those who wouldn’t budge were simply setting their rates low enough that they had found a sweet spot—a magical range that meant they turned away few clients but also made enough to be profitable.
My great friend Samuel brought up a great possibility, though: higher paying work begets higher paying work. If my rate is $1000/hour (hypothetical, obviously) and I hold out for a client that will pay $1000/hour and feels like that’s a steal for my contribution, the result of that work is not only a happier client (and a happier me), it will also lead to more clients that are willing to pay $1000/hour.
What do you think? Is anyone willing to expand on their vote?
1. http://designsalaries.org
Today I start a new regimen. Not entirely new — I’ve tried variations before — but something I’m finding increasingly important: Standing up and moving around. I know, right? Revolutionary!
The cause has been building. The effect? A few months ago, I tried a standing desk and it was okay, but it was far too large of a footprint for the space and there seem to be just as many reasons not to stand all day as there are not to sit. Either way, as someone who spends 10+ hours in front of the computer on average, I need to try something else.
I’ve blamed my chair for my sore joints and muscles, but in the past, I have typically sat uninterrupted for at least three or four hours, designing, coding, or just tinkering. I used to run two-to-three times a week, but apparently that isn’t enough either. So…
I’ve drummed up resolve to keep this going:
- I decided it simply needs to happen. I may not have weight issues, but that doesn’t mean my metabolism isn’t slowing and the risk for other adverse effects of sitting all day aren’t knocking at my door.
- I downloaded a handy little app called Focus Booster to keep on top of it. I hate Air apps, but this is so small, important, and has a nice look to it besides the dock icon… I’ll forgive it.
- I work for 25mins, and then pause whatever I’m doing to take a five minute break where I force myself to stand up and move around; run in place, drink some water, refill coffee, take the dog out. I cannot sit during the five minute break. Every four or five 25min sessions, I take a longer break (part of the pomodoro technique).
- I’m going to sign Amy and I up for yoga classes soon. I need to boost my flexibility and agility +1. Or… +10.
- I’m thinking of buying an exercise ball to test as an alternative to my desk chair.
- It goes beyond the workday: we just bought a new couch. I know this seems a little counterintuitive, but if we are sitting in the evening, it should be on something that supports our bodies.
- Related, we will be pausing Netflix for the summer after next week.
What are you going to do about it? Do you feel the effects of working like we do?
