Like Jeanne, I can't help but pipe in with my comments here. I'm not responding just to be contraire but to help enlighten the people who HIRE skilled people who trade their time for dollars. The real question is, "Do you want it done cheap or done right"? First of all, as an independent contractor paying state, federal and payroll taxes - including double social security on partner wages, my total taxes come out to about 45% of my billable income less deductions. That's equivalent to taking home $77.00 if I was able to put in the highest range of hours at the highest range of pay in a week! I can't fill my gas tank for that anymore. >From this $77. I would have to cover yearly state licenses, corporation renewals or annual report fees, insurances like health, life, disability, property and liability - professional fees for the Lawyer and Accountant. Don't forget professional memberships, books, seminars, conferences, education, etc. Then comes a percentage of income put aside for retirement savings, working capitol, equipment replacement and unknown contingencies. And, by the way, doing this Hi-Tech stuff requires the best computers, specialized software, websites, fast internet connections and who knows what else - Oh yeah, the job offering REQUIRES that you have your own hard line phone. (With all that expected national exposure does the PR person pay for long distance charges too???) Now, let's look at what you'll get using the high end range of $15 per hour. The candidate is supposed to have a certain amount of skill to be able to *write effective press releases *GET coverage on local and national radio / TV / print and Internet Write and place articles And.................. "You have a passion for innovative and holistic living" (left out)- and you enjoy living below the national poverty level. Unless a person is an exceedingly literate illegal alien or works "under the table" for cash, the offer is, to be kind, not very attractive. May I suggest that there is a better way to state the offer? Sum up the ENTIRE amount you are willing to pay and articulate EXACTLY what you want to accomplish with that fee within a certain time period and forget telling a professional how many hours they must spend per week. A professional Public Relations person can get a lot done in a relatively short period of time. They know who to call, where to call and how to be heard. They also know what is realistic in terms of expectations and may even help you better define your objectives. Here's a different way to frame the offer without being insulting. You may get more responses or find out how far off your fee really is. Freelance Public Relations Professional Wanted: * Craft press releases each for local and national radio / TV / print and Internet * Follow-up coverage with local and national radio / TV / print * Write and place 3 different articles on the top 10 appropriate Internet article sites. Timeline: May to October 2008 Objective: To promote awareness of the Vibrant Living Festival, Emerson Place, Mt. Tremper , NY, October 2008. Fee: $560 plus incidental expenses If you get no response I would suggest you call a few PR pros directly and offer them the assignment. If they refuse - find out why and how much the project should be to be competitive. This way, at least you'll know. Offering $12 to $14 per hour will only dredge up the most desperate and least talented - if anyone at all. I say this because I have not charged by the hour since the early 1980's. Clients prefer it. No surprises. Fee based projects make much more sense. And, they are much more profitable because they are based on value not time. Clients ask, am I willing to pay X for this result? Hours don't matter. What sense does it make charging $15 per hour for 10 hours work from a "Not-Yet-Ready-For-Prime-Time-Player or, $150 for 1 hour from a seasoned pro??? How does a buyer respond to $15 per hour or $650 per hour for the same job?? Obviously, one is too low to be serious and one is too rich for my blood. ONLY when you state the objective, the parameters and the budget, can you then concentrate the credentials, talents and skills of the person willing to do the project. Hope this helps. All the best, Dennis Kunkler, Partner Dennis at YourBrandPartnership.Com http://growmyco.typepad.com/lawfirm/ -----Original Message----- From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Jeanne Yocum Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:08 PM To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net Subject: [Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee. ** You too can help the group ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** If you did, we all thank you. Hi, I can't let the message below go without comment. People who know how to write effective press releases, get coverage in the media, and write and place articles do not work for $12 to $14/hour. Anyone who has the required skills is making MUCH, MUCH more. I can't think of any reason why someone who does know PR would work at these rates, even if you're promising a steady, long-term gig. I don't mean to fault you for trying, but I feel I have to speak up on behalf of my profession. Good PR people are highly trained professionals and need to be compensated accordingly. People who don't know what they're doing in this field are unlikely to produce results and can actually be downright dangerous in terms of the negative impression they will leave with the media about your organization. You would be better off taking your small budget and hiring someone who knows what they're doing to executive one or two small projects for you. Best, Jeanne Yocum | Principal ____________________________ Tuscarora Communications, Ltd. Granby, MA www.yourghostwriter.com Member: National Writers Union PR person for Vibrant Living productions and unscripted Power Seminars. You can: write effective press releases get coverage on local and national radio / TV / print and Internet Write and place articles You have a passion for innovative and holistic living $12 - $14 an hour Beginning 5 - 10 hours a week. Need your own hardline phone _______________________________________________ Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list. If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members page on the Hidden Tech Web site. http://www.hidden-tech.net/members