[Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted

[Don Lesser]

As someone who hires writers, trainers, and programmers as well as who bills for his services, I do see both sides. As a purchaser, you need to minimize what you spend and are often in a situation where you have to pay for something that there is little or no budget for. Also, contractors tend to assume you are making a ton of money on their labor when sometimes, they are making more than you on a yearly basis. How many contractors do you know who carry a million dollars of liability insurance, workman's comp insurance, and pay their people net 30-45 when their clients pay them net 60-90? It isn't all getting rich on the sweat of the masses.

As a seller, you want to get paid something like what you are worth. You shouldn't have to care what anyone else's expenses are. You set a rate, you do the work, you get paid. That's why you are a contractor. 

I have gone the route of the expensive and the "starting out  and cheap but with a lot of energy" and it all boils down to the person. I have paid a lot for a loser and lucked out and found someone who was going to be great in a few years and who I got cheaper for a while while i helped them build their resume. I've also gotten screwed by the young and eager and found that paying for recognized talent is the cheapest way to go in the long run. As I say, it all depends on the person. The ones who come through, who deliver a quality product without breaking my chops, who can take some initiative without running off course, and who are honest are the ones I re-hire. 

So, deciding what the total amount you can pay and offering it as a flat rate is a great way to go. If you need the person in the office a set period of time, make that part of the deal. If you don't trust them to do work when you're not looking, one or both of you is in trouble. 

----------------------------------------

From: "Dennis Kunkler" <dennis at yourbrandpartnership.com>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 6:15 PM
To: "'Jeanne Yocum'" <Jeanne at yourghostwriter.com>, <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
Subject: RE: [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.

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

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