[Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted

[William Sweet]

I agree with the comments about the rate. It might be better to quote what
you are willing to pay for the project as a whole.

I would never take on a contract like this that offers $12 - $14 per hour.
On the surface, it would appear to be a waste on one's time.
And I'm relatively new to the field. I was a newspaper writer for many
years, and they, in that dying industry with horrific labor policies, are
making more than that. One might consider $12-$14 on payroll these days, but
not as a contractor, IMHO.

Rephrasing the proposal might get you candidates that are less desperate. On
the plus side, it looks like a job that wouldn't take too many hours to
complete, maybe less than you think, so if you give a total based on your
estimate of the hours required, it might actually come out to a fair rate.

Bill

On Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 10:50 PM, Don Lesser <dlesser at ptraining.com> wrote:

>   ** 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.
>
>
>
> 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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-- 
William Sweet
Writer/Editor
Media Consulting
Public Relations

59 Lincoln Avenue
Northampton, MA 01060

phone: (413) 834-7896
fax: (610) 549-7007

email: williamsweet1 at gmail.com
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