Never Allow Anyone to Underpay You

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Just because I live in the Philippines doesn't mean I am cheap. That's one of the biggest mistakes of clients, who I sometimes encounter online. They want to go for great quality service but very cheap prices. Kind of like a Big Mac. And it's not wrong. But going to the point of bombarding you with countless tasks for just a small price AND they even change their minds often AND they let you work on side task they don't even pay... Well, they can go to hell for all I care! I know the quality of service I do. I know my works. And I know my price per year, per month, per day, per second. I know my worth. And if anyone thinks I would bend over for a small price--just because I live in a land known to be patient with these BSs--well, they've got my boot coming to their parts where the sun never shines! I understand that there are clients who just doesn't get how hard you work to get their stuff done. They don't understand you. They don't get the efforts behind each task they give because they don't see you. This is one of the challenges of a freelancer. But it is also our duty to let them know that that isn't so. What they want is possible but that will take time. And if what they want isn't possible, it's because the current technology, we're working on, has limitations. And our time, our money and efforts has a corresponding price. I work in Fiverr because I don't want to be tied down. I offer services there that are cheaper compared to others in the freelancing world. But the price could go more, depending on the circumstances. In my case, it usually does, especially for clients who often change their minds. And I am just ranting here because these people just don't get that the quality of my work is also dependent on their instructions. (Ever read Sun Tzu's Art of War? If not, you should.) And I know that's the case because my great clients have given me clear instructions. We perform in the premise that doesn't go beyond our deals--unless I'm feeling like a rockstar and do more for them--thus making my work-flow smoother, easier and faster. If there are any issues, they know how to go around the situation. And once they let me know about the changes, they compensate me for the original plan and also for the new plan. They also understood that I cannot kill myself over technical problems. Particularly those that's just out of my hands. But then again, these people are also aware where my responsibility starts and ends. I guess if I am to categorize the people I encounter in this industry, I would say that my great clients are businessmen and businesswomen. As for those who... to put it simply "pushes my buttons", they're self-employed people, thinking that they are businessmen or businesswomen, but they're just ain't there yet. Anyways, moral of this ranting is to never allow anyone to underpay you. Because you know your worth. And therefore, stand your ground on that fact.