[stylist] time sensitive, need advice ASAP

Thu Nov 5 15:19:50 UTC 2015

I agree with Chris. I wouldn't go much below $20 per hour for an hourly wage. This is a lot of work in a very short amount of time. And it sounds like they are scrambling to complete it. So your time and energy is worth something, don't under sell. You are doing them a favor, not the other way around.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Kuell via stylist
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 8:29 AM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Chris Kuell <ckuell at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [stylist] time sensitive, need advice ASAP

Hi Julie,

This is not a simple, straightforward question, as there are many variables. However, the job they are asking you to do is an important, professional endeavor, and your pay should be commensurate to the value added.

Several years ago I had a blind friend who was a very good grant writer, and she used to charge $20 per hour for her services. Since she got most of the grants she applied for, it was worth every penny. So, my first thought for you is to charge $25 per hour, or a thousand dollars for the job. To some, that might seem like a lot. But, you are a professional, and professionals get paid well. Too many blind people undervalue their contributions, and I'd hate to see you be one of those. And think of it from their perspective: they risk getting nothing, or paying you a reasonable fee and getting the grant they want and need. It's a no-brainer.

Good luck,

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via stylist
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2015 9:03 AM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Cc: Julie J.
Subject: [stylist] time sensitive, need advice ASAP

All my lovely fellow writers, I need some advice.  I need to respond probably by lunchtime, so this is sort of urgent.

I ran into the lady who used to be my boss in my last job at a meeting we both were attending.  She is struggling with completing a grant related document I used to do as a part of my job there.  She mentioned that she needed help and would gladly pay, so of course I spoke up!

I pretty much have the freelance contract to do this work, but there are a few other steps before it is official.  The budget has to be adjusted to pay my fee and that has to be approved by the County Commissioners.  There will probably be a formal contract to sign.  What I am really struggling with right at the moment is my hourly rate.  I simply don’t know what to charge.

This particular document is called a Three Year Comprehensive Plan.  It is in the neighborhood of 30 pages or so.  It requires supporting research in the form of scientific data pulled from existing surveys.  Then I will pull conclusions about community needs from the research as well as community member input.  I will need to contact a variety of agencies to see what they are doing and to include their activities.  I will need to sort the community needs into priorities and strategies under each priority item.  There’s more, but you get the idea.  I’m estimating this will be a 40 hour project.

Now just to make things interesting, the document was actually due in July, but the X boss lady was granted an extension until the end of this month.  I can complete it in that time, but it leaves no margin for much revisions.  The completed document has to go before the Board of County Commissioners for approval.  The last available date for that is the 24th.  

So my big question is:  how much should I charge per hour or for the whole project?
If this goes well, it could easily lead to more grant writing and related document writing opportunities.  I don’t want to mess this up!
Thanks for any advice, insights or anything you can offer Julie Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
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