Re: How do freelance technical writers deal with the thorny issue of payment?

[Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>]

Hi Pippa -

 > - How do you decide whether to quote a fixed price,
 > or a daily rate for projects?

I always quote an hourly rate. The jobs are usually not well defined, 
and even the ones that seem clear cut usually turn out not to be once I 
start. I don't want to be stuck with a fixed quote to do an expanding job.

Clients often have an unrealistic notion of how long a job will take. I 
usually say I can give them a much firmer idea of how long it will take 
after I've spent a few days asking questions and planning. Or, if they 
have a fixed budget or time period for the doco work, I tell them what I 
can get done within that time or budget.

 > - For a large project that could span two or three months,
 > is it reasonable to ask for a percentage of the final payment
 > 'up front' ? I've looked at various websites and opinions vary
 > from none, right up to 50%.

I wouldn't expect money up front but it is reasonable to bill in stages 
for anything longer than a few weeks. Not many people can comfortably 
wait three months plus X weeks for the invoice to be processed before 
they get paid.

 > - Again, for long projects, is it the norm to stagger payments
 > across agreed milestones?

If it's the sort of project where you complete some deliverables before 
the end, then I guess so. Usually I just invoice monthly, and separately 
make sure that the client is happy that progress is being made.

I've never had a problem with a client being reluctant to pay, but I 
know others on techwr-l have. That's why it's good to put in your 
contract that you own the copyright on the work until you are paid in full.

Cheers

Stuart
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