These posts outline my processes as an independent web developer, pricing, proposals, etc. Good processes let me finish the boring stuff quickly and give me confidence in the foundations of my business so that I can spend more time on the fun part of work.
It’s a terrifically unattractive topic but so important. I wish we’d talked more about it when I was in college. Most other developers, artists, designers, and so on that I’ve spoken to feel similarly. It’s easy to come out of higher education very unprepared for the working world.
No matter where you’re at, it’s worth remembering though that it’s a continual learning experience, not something that you ever 100% figure out. And that’s ok!
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Scheduling work involves juggling the expectations of many people at once. There’s each individual client’s competing desire to be at the top of the list as well as my very real desire to not be an overworked trainwreck.
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This post outlines how I handle proposals as an independent web developer, almost the whole pre-project arc including gathering info, writing and sending the proposal, and what happens after it’s sent.
I love chatting about potential projects with anyone who will entertain me, but I can’t stand writing proposals. My goal is to make the process streamlined enough that I hate it a bit less and am able to get proposals out the door much faster.
This is an important topic and something I’m continuously trying to improve. A good proposal lays solid foundations for a project and sets the tone of a working relationship. Sometimes it even helps weed out the people I’d prefer *not* to work with.
Some of this has evolved over years of freelancing, but a lot of it is brand new or newly refined. Moving from the UK to the US has given me the opportunity to reconsider my procedures and improve the commissioning process both for myself and for my clients.
I’m pretty happy with my approach, but I’m sure it could be improved. Also, what works for me may be totally unworkable for someone else. So take this as one person’s perspective, and please share with me if you have other ideas.
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Pricing is a minefield, and I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like I’ve got it totally right. That seems like a drag but on the sunny side, as an independent developer I’ve got total control over what I charge and can continue to adjust it as necessary.
This is where I’m at with pricing methodologies, rates, and invoicing at the moment. Please send me your thoughts if you have other ideas.