How can I find clients that pay $50-100/h for web/mobile development, while even with huge experience I always get $10-15/h? I've been a web developer for the past 14 years and a mobile one for the past 5. My portfolio is very big (and it includes some big enterprise work) and I can work with almost any language, framework and platform. Still even after all those years I never managed to charge what I think I am worth. All my client projects run around from US$ 10 to 15/h. Every time that I try to charge more I lose the contract because there is always someone that offers smaller rates. Note that I am from Brazil and the rates I put are converted to USD, but still they are very small even in the BRL currency. I already got advice from people saying that my rates should be at least US$ 50/h and I also even read some questions in Clarity with the same advice for WordPress, Ruby on Rails and iOS development, which is what I do mostly. But I still fail to charge what I want and what I find it is reasonable. Even recently I lost a deal with a big company because they preferred a cheaper option. Points to consider: all of this from remote projects and remote clients (mostly from the US, Canada and some European countries). Is it because I'm from Brazil so international clients are indeed looking for cheaper rates when they are dealing overseas? How to definitely get reasonable rates?
The first thing you need to do is believe you can get those kinds of rates. You question is littered with reasons why you can't - but the first question you need to ask is "Is there anyone doing development living in Brazil getting paid $100+/hour for their work" - the answer is YES.
So, the better question to ask is "What are they doing different then me to get those rates?"
I know I've paid for remote developers + designers at the $100/hour range, and the thing that justified it was.
1) I had a budget and have paid that kind of rate in the past
2) They're past work, portfolio, online profile, and all interactions with them world spectacular
3) They had passion for their work, almost like craftman.
4) I felt I could trust that they could over deliver on my expectations
5) They were focused on doing one thing great (ex: Mobile Design, iOS Dev, Ruby Dev) - they didn't do it all.
6) Someone I trusted vouched for them.
You don't need all of them, maybe 2-3, but those are some of the things that come to mind.
Answered 11 years ago
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