Setting the right salary range can be the key to acing what’s often considered one of the most difficult aspects of your job search. This holds true in the freelance world, where often each job has to be negotiated individually. But when you’re working with a professional talent agency, is this anything to concern yourself with?
The answer is yes. Even with third party staffing firms who handle all aspects of your work contract with a client, it’s up to you to set an acceptable salary range for your work. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
Set Range In Advance
Set your salary range in advance. If you’re the kind of person who takes whatever’s being offered for a freelance project, you’re probably seriously underpaid and more than likely overworked. By entering into contract negotiation without a well thought out salary range for your services, you’re leaving your earnings potential in the hands of someone else. Don’t do this. Instead, use your past earnings as a measuring stick to determine an hourly rate for yourself. While very few freelance gigs will ever pay by the hour, this can still be a useful tool in determining how much you will charge on a per-job basis.
Schedule Additional Time
Once you’ve figured out an acceptable and profitable hourly rate for yourself, you can determine what your salary will be for a specific job by looking at the size and scope of the project. By figuring out how much time you’ll need to spend on a particular job, you’ll be able to set an accurate and fair salary for yourself. As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to schedule additional time for job revisions and unforeseen delays.
Say No When Appropriate
Don’t be afraid to turn down a lower paying work assignment. Too many freelancers agree to lower paying jobs out of a fear that turning down work will look bad. But by taking on work that consumes your time and doesn’t compensate you adequately, you’re putting yourself in a position to be unable to accept larger paying assignments further down the line.
Above all else, it’s important to understand that contract negotiation is part and parcel of the freelance world. Nobody expects you to work for free or for too little. Knowing how to set your required salary range and sticking to your guns is crucial to avoiding that.
Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
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Artisan Talent is a Digital, Marketing and Creative Staffing Firm placing talent in jobs perfectly matched with their skills all over the US.
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