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Yes, I agree, I would be "the enemy" by not having to afford health
insurance. But what I wasn't clear about: Into the foreseeable future,
I am only interested in doing this for my current company, so I won't be
competing with anyone anytime soon. For additional income, I have other
irons in the fire.
I only hope outsourcing does not make the situation even worse in the
future.
Mark D. Filiatreau
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+mfiliatreau=psi-it -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+mfiliatreau=psi-it -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Peter Neilson
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 5:15 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?
Mark, your situation illustrates one of the things that tech writers
(and
perhaps others) are up against: The competition (for me, that's you)
often
have very low expenses.
If I were to work in DC or NYC I would be looking at the expense of
living
there while maintaining my farm as well. If someone looking for a writer
on an hourly rate can choose between me and someone who lives with his
mother, the difference in rates can be tremendous. To stay in NYC on the
short term, I imagine I would need at least $200 per day. That's another
$25 per hour. The rates I've been quoted by agencies that say they want
to
place me in DC or NYC are around a laughable $35.
Hmmm. I can make better than $10 per hour just by staying home and doing
occasional stuff while still in PJs.
Of course the DC jobs seem to want me to come equipped with Secret or TS
as well.
On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:52:08 -0400, Mark Filiatreau
<mfiliatreau -at- psi-it -dot- com> wrote:
> Connie,
>
> Thanks very much for this great advice. And thanks to the other
> contributors, too.
>
> I will not need benefits like health insurance -- I mentioned that but
> Margaret snipped it from her reply--because our family will be
covered
> by my wife's employer's plan.
>
> Mark D. Filiatreau
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Connie Giordano [mailto:connie -at- therightwordz -dot- com]
> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 4:48 PM
> To: 'Pro TechWriter'; Mark Filiatreau
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?
>
> Mark,
>
> If you're planning to be an independent freelancer, find yourself
three
> professionals who charge reasonable rates: an accountant, a lawyer and
> an
> insurance agent. Have your lawyer review the work agreement with your
> soon-to-be former employer. Talk to your accountant about what you
> should
> do regarding your tax situation.
>
> Lawyer and accountant go almost without saying, a good insurance agent
> can
> do wonders as well. Over the past 15 years, the number companies that
> pay
> any part of insurance benefits has dropped significantly. As a result,
> when
> my last w2 gig ended, my Cobra insurance payments were EXACTLY THE
SAME
> as
> when I was employed. The big problem I found was in going from group
> coverage to individual coverage, not COBRA. Of course YMMV. Find an
> independent agent who specializes in small business--they understand
the
> challenges, and will work with you to find rates and coverages you can
> actually live with. Consider incorporating as an LLC to see if you
can
> get
> a group of one health insurance policy, if individual coverage is too
> high
> (after being diagnosed with a condition that now appears in all my
> health
> records, I cannot get individual coverage. Group of one was
expensive,
> but
> at least it was coverage. ) And remember, if you're in the US a lot
of
> your
> insurance requirements will change over the next 24 months, so find
> somebody
> willing to stay on top of it.
>
> Depending on your level of experience, and the scope of work you being
> asked
> to do, you may be able to get a higher rate. I have done contract
work
> in
> the past for DC area clients, and have been told that my rate, which
is
> very
> high for Charlotte, is seriously below market for DC. Thus I learned
the
> lesson to base your rate on experience, scope, and market. You've
> gotten a
> lot of other good suggestions (especially the quick pay discount!)
> Welcome
> to independent contracting and good luck!
>
> Connie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On
> Behalf Of Pro TechWriter
> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 3:45 PM
> To: Mark Filiatreau
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?
>
> I would charge around $68 an hour, with a discount off the total
invoice
> if
> paid in 15 days. I used to give around a 2% discount for a quick pay.
>
> You will want to stipulate up front that your invoices must be paid in
> 30
> days, but 15 days would be best. If they don't pay in 30 days, stop
> work.
> Many government contractors will assume that they can pay you in 90
> days,
> which just won't work for a small business.
>
> Dont' forget that insurance will be much more expensive than with an
> employer. Even if you get a discounted rate through STC or another
> organization.
>
> Good luck,
> PT
>
> On Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 1:27 PM, Mark Filiatreau
> <mfiliatreau -at- psi-it -dot- com>wrote:
>
>> It will be 1099.
>> Thanks, Margaret, that's the kind of info I'm looking for.
>>
>> Mark D. Filiatreau
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Margaret Cekis [mailto:Margaret -dot- Cekis -at- comcast -dot- net]
>> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 2:22 PM
>> To: Mark Filiatreau; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>> Subject: RE: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?
>>
>> Mark Filiatreau asked, "What's a good freelance rate for technical
>> writers?
>> ...in a place like the hyper-expensive Washington, DC, area?... my
>> company has already asked me to be available as a contractor on an
>> as-needed basis.
>> I was asked, "What's your rate?"...My "gross rate" on my paycheck is
>> about $40/hour,
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>> Mark:
>> Will it be on a W-2 or a 1099 contract? If it is a W-2, the company
>> will pay half your FICA and Medicare taxes, and you will be covered
by
>
>> unemployment insurance. The company can/will withhold funds toward
>> your Federal, State and municipal income tax, if applicable. If it is
>> a 1099, you will have to pay all of the FICA and Medicare taxes, you
>> will not be covered by unemployment, and you will have to file
>> quarterly estimated US income taxes to the IRS. This makes a big
>> difference in the rate you should charge.
>> For a
>> W-2, I'd up my hourly salary by 35-50%, or ask for $55-60. If it is a
>> 1099, I'd double it, or ask for at least $75-80.
>> Margaret Cekis, Johns Creek GA
>
>
>
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