For one client they had the entirety because they insisted on me making changes to a live production system (I know, crazy)
In another case they seemed to be happy to continue using their legacy system until the new one was perfect in their eyes.
10 karma · joined May 8, 2013
In another case they seemed to be happy to continue using their legacy system until the new one was perfect in their eyes.
Expanding scope and holding final payment hostage.
> Maybe you could tell us a little bit more about how you scoped those projects and how you handled contracts and payment terms.
List of requirements, with 50% before and 50% when done. This was my #1 mistake and I have stopped this.
> It would definitely help if you told us how you sourced those clients. Did you network your way into them, or get them off outsourcing sites?
Networking.
> How big were the clients?
Larger side of small business scale.
> You're not one good client away from all your problems changing; you're several business model changes away from having a sustainable business that will generate fewer abusive relationships, and, over the long term, the luxury of being picky about your clients.
One month at $100+ an hour would take care of all debts, allow me to purchase needed medicine and provide enough runway to only accept quality clients. That is what I meant by that.
What I have been doing wrong is charging a flat rate for projects that is too low. Then the clients hold the final payment hostage while asking for unending changes.
I got smarter in my latest jobs, but they were only very small ones for low money. I have only been earning $15 per hour.
I would be incredibly happy to make $50 per hour for 3 months. I think my next best bet is to contact dev shops in my city that have clients already.