Freelance Assistance for Coaches and other Pros

Okay.  Maybe I was a little hard on the buyers from Elance and Guru.  Maybe I was hard on the overseas companies.  I haven’t received any feedback, but was quite frustrated.  Though nothing I said was untrue, it may have seemed a little bitter.  I just feel that it’s very hard for the people who work on a freelance basis to become successful when we have to compete in an industry where you’re undercut because a person is new to a business and naive about what it takes to make the money and stay motivated.  I know $30.00 per audio hour would not motivate me.  I see people posting projects and making it seem like you’re ripping them off if you charge more than $10.00 per audio hour.  It seems so insulting to insinuate that transcription is a skill that’s worth no more than $3.00 per hour.  Am I wrong to assume that I still live in America and am not in China?

Okay.  It sounds bitter again.  What I really want to do is educate people.  I’ve seen a posting here on WordPress lately that announced that a virtual assistant was discounting all her services by $5.00 per hour because of the economy.  Hello!?!  Is the economy not affecting her?  Yes, it brings in business.  But what about when the economy shapes up or she needs more money and she tries to up those fees?  Boom.  They’re gone.  Adios, sister.  It’s all about the bottom line for most people.  Yes, there is loyalty.  Yes, there are people who are happy with who they’re with and would stay with them no matter what it cost.

Then there are the rest of us that are concerned about our checking account balances.  We can’t afford to slash our rates and we’re comfy with where they are.  I also occasionally will take on someone to help me out when things get overwhelming, but I’m certainly not going to insult them by paying $20.00 per audio hour.  I’m kind of scared of what kind of quality I would get from someone willing to take that rate.  The acceptance of that rate tells me a few things: the person is new to the business and has no concept of how long it’s going to take them to transcribe one hour of audio, they’re overseas in places like India, China, the Phillipines or they’re going to do a great job, insure me that they’re available if I need help and then the next time tell me it’s going to be more money.  I don’t go for that.  Even when I charge my $40.00 per audio hour rate, I will pay someone at least $35.00 per audio hour, if not the whole fee.  Yes, I provided the work and recruited the client, but ultimately I didn’t do the transcription.  Fair pay for fair work is the way I see it.

I’m sure I’m rambling and venting, but this sometimes feels like a good place to do it.  It’s not polished and professional.  I’m aware of that.  I’m just tired of the questions and assumptions that imply I’m ripping people off.  I sit at my computer day in and day out trying to make my deadlines and keep my clients happy.  I like my clients.  I enjoy my work.  It’s not all fun and games, but what job is?  My biggest gripe has always been the competition that makes it unrealistic to compete.  They’re worse than Wal-Mart!!!!

Thanks again for reading.  Brighter days are ahead, I’m sure.