I'm curious to know if any freelancers out there are either lowering their rates and/or being asked to by clients? If so, by what percentage?
Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
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Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#2[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#3Not there yet, but I am getting indications that clients of large consultancies are activating the force majure clauses of their contracts to basically end them the same day.
This is going to be very messy.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#4I haven’t lowered my rates. In freelancing, it’s normal for a lot of people to be charging less than you. I don’t think that has changed.
Clients care about the value they’re getting, so I focus on providing good service. Once a relationship with a client is established, the client’s best move in a crisis won’t be to replace the person they know and who knows their systems with a stranger who charges marginally less per hour. It’s more likely that projects will be put on hold for some time.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#5My contract ends in April. Indications before the crisis were that it would be prolonged, but I am not so sure now since their business will probably suffer.
The last week especially I have been getting a lot of messages with offers, so its really hard to say.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#6[random advice from the internet]
If you're considering lowering your rates as jobs become scarce, it makes sense to recognize that the best likely result is fewer jobs at lower rates with higher rates of cancellation and non-payment. The higher rates of cancellation and non-payment are in part due to the general economic situation and largely due to the inherent undercapitalization of projects requiring lower rates to move forward.
The opportunity is moving upmarket and chasing better clients. Those with good capitalization structures. Or to put it another way, join the race to the bottom in better paying market segments. Doors open when everyone is shopping around.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#7No! As long as demand stays where it is (clearly, it may not), hold the line. My experience during 2000-2002 (the internet collapse) and 2008, it really depends on the niche. Much has changed and I fully expect big business to take advantage of the situation. Hopefully, a diversified skill-set will enable a more stable earnings picture.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#8Nope, but I'm keeping a close eye on everything. We'll see what the situation is in June when my contract is up for extension...
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#9With more companies switching to remote work, I'd expect the opposite.
Re: Ask HN: Freelancers, are you lowering your rates?
#10No absolutely not. As others have mentioned, there are also potential scenarios where this crisis ends up having positive impact on the freelance market. Short term contracts can be attractive for companies in turbulent times with unclear future.