A friend of mine is a freelance illustrator fresh out of school, and he's been approached by a colleague of a former teacher of his. The teacher is retiring, and the colleague would like to commission a cartoon as a retirement present for the teacher. My friend is a brilliant artist, but lacks professional experience, so he's got little reference for what to quote for the work. Can anyone provide a good frame of reference for quoting this kind of job? Details inside! (I'm asking for my friend, of course, who isn't a MeFite but really should become one.) [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 4 answers

How much would you charge for web design from a template? [more inside]
posted on Apr 19, 2008 - 6 answers

I am currently a freelance film/video editor slash motion graphic designer. One of the companies I freelance for is in the process of making me a job offer. I'm trying to figure out what a fair salary/wage is compared to what I pull in as freelance. [more inside]
posted on Apr 15, 2008 - 4 answers

How much should I budget for a series of 26 illustrations for an online ABC Book? How about 26 short animations? Any tips on finding a good artist who won't break the bank? [more inside]
posted on Apr 14, 2008 - 5 answers

Does anyone know of an agency that works with, represents freelance chinese illustrators for editorial art? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 1 answers

How do Adwords/PPC professionals charge to manage a client account? I can't get a straight answer. [more inside]
posted on Apr 7, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm thinking of hiring a college student or recent grad for some professional-level work. How do I screen applicants, and how do I make sure I get the best results when we're working together? [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 9 answers

Where does a small web design/development company find work? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm an arts and entertainment writer for a blog, and I also do freelance writing for a number of newspapers and magazines. I cover movies, art, TV, music, theater, and video games. What kinds of things can I write off on my taxes? [more inside]
posted on Mar 27, 2008 - 10 answers

Taxes: Should I claim this freelance I did last year? [more inside]
posted on Mar 20, 2008 - 8 answers

Toddlers and copyediting do not mix. Help me figure out childcare. [more inside]
posted on Mar 14, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm currently running a business where I monitor computers for people. I use custom made software that gets by all the anti-malware scanners and through the firewalls. I have been charging $40/hr for the first hour, and $45 for each hour after that. Since most of work may only take 1-4 hours per client I've been told that I'm charging too little. Figures have been thrown at me by friends, family and even clients that I should charge $60, $75 or even $100. What is a fair amount in this business. Yes this involves spying on people at the workplace, churches and spouses. My first question. I've searched mefi for similar stuff and came up empty.
posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 15 answers

Where does one find public RFPs for technical projects - specifically websites? Is there a trusted, standard repository of some sort? [more inside]
posted on Mar 4, 2008 - 4 answers

I want to be an IT mercenary, how do I get started doing freelance/contract SysAdmin/Programming? [more inside]
posted on Mar 4, 2008 - 6 answers

I've been offered a ghostwriting gig. Help me with my expectations, please. [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2008 - 4 answers

I do freelance graphic design in NYC and have just been asked by a client to travel with them to Chicago for 5 days. I usually charge by the hour and work locally. I have no clue how to quote for this. Suggestions, please?
posted on Feb 26, 2008 - 10 answers

Where can I get a quality yet cheaper as possible logo and web template for a web 2.0-oriented website? [more inside]
posted on Feb 24, 2008 - 18 answers

What's a reasonable hourly rate for a freelance IT guy? Phone systems, networking, basic setups, etc. [more inside]
posted on Feb 10, 2008 - 9 answers

Simple set of calculations/spreadsheet formulas for thinking about the true cost of starting a business or going freelance? [more inside]
posted on Feb 10, 2008 - 3 answers

Freelance filter: How much do I charge? I've not done this type of work freelance style before. [more inside]
posted on Jan 24, 2008 - 6 answers

What are the marks of a true professional? [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2008 - 40 answers

Tell me about people who freelance in different fields simultaneously, in order to increase their income, based on skills, talents, hobbies etc. Personal stories preferred. [more inside]
posted on Jan 13, 2008 - 5 answers

How much should I quote for a daily rate working freelance as a web content editor? [more inside]
posted on Jan 11, 2008 - 6 answers

This one's for the Mrs: As a successful freelancer in a creative industry (writing-ish), is it enough to have a decent website and nice business cards, or is it worth it to a hire a graphic designer to come up with a business "brand" or "identity" for you? (And what should this involve besides just a logo?) [more inside]
posted on Jan 8, 2008 - 11 answers

How much do I charge a client for a website refresh that will never go live? It's almost been 6 months. Countless production hours. Dozens of emails and conference calls. They can't agree, I want it out of my hair, the site isn't going live. [more inside]
posted on Jan 8, 2008 - 18 answers

What resource suggestions would you suggest to someone starting their own freelance business? [more inside]
posted on Jan 6, 2008 - 9 answers

What are the usual practices of major (and minor) print publications when entering into contracts with freelance writers and photographers (stringers)? The publication can certainly force (or request) stringers to enter into contracts that say their articles are a "work for hire" or purchase "all rights" in the material. Is this the norm now or do only the major newspapers do this? [more inside]
posted on Jan 4, 2008 - 5 answers

As part of my work for a client I've begun researching online privacy, cryptography, and other sundry ways of protecting oneself online. And I'm now completely creeped out and must switch NOW to uncrackable passwords, multiple email accounts, encrypting the crap out of everything I do, and generally making sure that only the things I want public on the internet are publicly accessible. But we run into the question - how do I do that without driving myself nuts trying to remember my passwords, convince everyone I know to use encrypted communication, and maintain a reasonable amount of privacy in my web surfing? And how do I do that after 8 years of webwhorage where I wasn't too concerned who knew what about me? [more inside]
posted on Dec 28, 2007 - 15 answers

How do I work "on retainer" without screwing myself or making my client unhappy? [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2007 - 4 answers

How to get started writing comedically? [more inside]
posted on Dec 19, 2007 - 9 answers

How much to charge for a (new) freelance job in graphic design? [more inside]
posted on Dec 14, 2007 - 11 answers

I'm a coder, with skills in python, ruby, rails, java, etc. I've recently started getting offers for (and accepting) short-term contract work in addition to my longer-term dayjob contract. However, I'm unsure what the going rate is for the work I do - how much should I charge on a per-hourly basis? How does this vary with respect to the length of the contract (eg, a day, a week, a month, six months)? [more inside]
posted on Nov 30, 2007 - 5 answers

What should I use to track freelance graphic design jobs? [more inside]
posted on Nov 30, 2007 - 9 answers

I am thinking of moving to France for a few months (less than 3 months). I want to continue to do remote freelance work for my for American clients. Will I get in trouble with France for doing this? Who should I talk to about this?
posted on Nov 4, 2007 - 33 answers

Please help me resolve this mess I made for myself at work. [more inside]
posted on Sep 29, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm planning to do some on-the-side freelance photography in the next year. I'd like some advice on how to play the tax game most effectively. [more inside]
posted on Sep 28, 2007 - 8 answers

Should I fire my freelance client? If so, how? [more inside]
posted on Sep 28, 2007 - 19 answers

What is a typical hourly rate for freelance public relations work? I've done lots of freelance writing, but little freelance p.r., and am considering bidding for a project that requires one to specify an hourly rate. This is in the Minneapolis area. [more inside]
posted on Sep 26, 2007 - 6 answers

[Looking for an gig-filter] I'll be in Texas in May 2008, and I'd like to some freelance-writing for an Swedish computer magazine. I'm hoping to dig up some companies or individuals who rely on Macs. [more inside]
posted on Sep 21, 2007 - 2 answers

My wife is looking to do freelance transcription work while home with our newborn and needs bidding guidance. [more inside]
posted on Sep 19, 2007 - 7 answers

How can a freelancer with a decent but sporadic income convince someone in NYC to rent to him and not just point and laugh? [more inside]
posted on Sep 16, 2007 - 11 answers

Freelance writers, help! How -- and how much -- should I charge for this book project? [more inside]
posted on Sep 12, 2007 - 11 answers

Anyone ever dealt with Heritage Web Solutions? [more inside]
posted on Sep 11, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm asking for a friend of mine: this company she used to work for has contacted her and asked her to design brochures for them. Problem is, she doesn't have any real design experience and has absolutely no idea what to charge them. [more inside]
posted on Sep 7, 2007 - 7 answers

How should payment be handled when freelancing with another person? [more inside]
posted on Aug 28, 2007 - 4 answers

Where can I find consultants/freelancers or other people who like to work in wireless cafés to be "co-workers" with? [more inside]
posted on Aug 26, 2007 - 9 answers

About a year ago I agreed (verbally) to do some programming work for a startup in exchange for a small amount of equity. In the meantime I've lost faith that this equity will be worth anything. Can I decline to do this work, or have I made a binding verbal contract that I must now fulfill? [more inside]
posted on Jun 25, 2007 - 15 answers

How can I parlay the sudden improvement of my freelance writing resume into career advancement? [more inside]
posted on Jun 22, 2007 - 6 answers

Help me find a site for freelance tech related work that was mentioned in the comments on one of the Gawker Media blogs sometime this year. [more inside]
posted on Jun 4, 2007 - 8 answers

I'm a web developer, not a designer. How can I leverage my skills to make some cash outside of my day job? [more inside]
posted on Jun 2, 2007 - 10 answers