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My $0.02 - free advice is often worth what you pay for it - caveat emptor ... Tell him you'd love the job, and can provide a portfolio to show that you've done

My $0.02 - free advice is often worth what you pay for it - caveat emptor ... Tell him you'd love the job, and can provide a portfolio to show that you've done this sort of work before. Then quote a price to provide the broad outline, and make that a deliverable. Then quote for any given solution to a problem. Make sure that you get paid for each piece of work before you do the next. Make it clear that you always do this until you have a history with a client - it's a clean, clear and professional way of working, especially remotely. Provide your work in small, valuable deliverables. You're doing work - charge for it. Make it clear that at any point he can take what you've done and go elsewhere, and then charge at a rate where you'd be happy if he did so. Make it clear that you're doing work, you're spending time, you're using your expertise, and you're happy to do so and get paid for it. Be cheerful, constructive and helpful.

minhajuddin 16y ago
Thanks, this should really help.
bambax 16y ago
Excellent advice. But from the description of the OP I doubt this will ever go anywhere. Is this a company or an individual? If it's an individual I would suggest to run. If it's a company then maybe there's a little more hope...?
- RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
  > ... from the description of the OP > I doubt this will ever go anywhere. I agree entirely. In some ways this is a strategy to appear (and in fact be) professional, while at the same time avoiding the death-spiral. The point is that you don't want this kind of client - you want clients who will * specify clearly * let you do the work * pay promptly There is always some give-and-take when you first start out, but this kind of client sounds like a complete pain, and a waste of time. You need to train him, or lose him. From your description they will never pay, regardless. Remain resolute - you are saving your time and there is no money to be lost, because they would never pay anyway. Unless they do, in which case you've established a new relationship.
- bradleyland 16y ago
  The real epiphany comes when you realize you don't want these types of exchanges to go anywhere. If your intent is to be paid for your work then you have to develop strategies to separate paying and non-paying clients very early in the relationship.
  - dpritchett 16y ago
    This same thought process works for job interviews, too. Let's say that failure to disclose your current salary means you won't be considered for the job. Would you have enjoyed working for that organization anyway? Time saved up front for both parties.

minhajuddin 16y ago

Thanks, this should really help.

bambax 16y ago

Excellent advice. But from the description of the OP I doubt this will ever go anywhere. Is this a company or an individual? If it's an individual I would suggest to run. If it's a company then maybe there's a little more hope...?

RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
> ... from the description of the OP > I doubt this will ever go anywhere. I agree entirely. In some ways this is a strategy to appear (and in fact be) professional, while at the same time avoiding the death-spiral. The point is that you don't want this kind of client - you want clients who will * specify clearly * let you do the work * pay promptly There is always some give-and-take when you first start out, but this kind of client sounds like a complete pain, and a waste of time. You need to train him, or lose him. From your description they will never pay, regardless. Remain resolute - you are saving your time and there is no money to be lost, because they would never pay anyway. Unless they do, in which case you've established a new relationship.
bradleyland 16y ago
The real epiphany comes when you realize you don't want these types of exchanges to go anywhere. If your intent is to be paid for your work then you have to develop strategies to separate paying and non-paying clients very early in the relationship.
- dpritchett 16y ago
  This same thought process works for job interviews, too. Let's say that failure to disclose your current salary means you won't be considered for the job. Would you have enjoyed working for that organization anyway? Time saved up front for both parties.