How to deal with a sucky clientSource If you have a troubled relationship with a client, the best thing you can do is find a new project where you don't work with that client. Trying to fix it is almost certainly not worth it because clients have the upper hand in the power dynamic (unless you changed all the passwords to key programs, in which case you might have leverage...). If you try to fix it, you're just going to be frustrated. Use that energy to find a gig that's a better fit. If...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Grandpa Simpson commands SME level ratesSource Here's a rough bill rate estimate based on your experience level. Obviously, depending on what you do and the particulars of your contract, this could change dramatically, but I just want to give you sense of what I've seen. Junior (0-4 years experience): $75 - $100/hour Experienced (4-8 years experience) : $100 - $140/hour Very Experienced/Expert (8-15 years experience): $140 - $180 / hour Subject Matter Expert (15+ years of specialized...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Business development excitementSource I spoke with employee 1 of a 200 person government contracting company, and he described some interesting stages in a company: 0 employees - Use your network to get your first sub-contract 1 - 20 employees - Do good work, figure out some basic admin (finance/HR), get on GSA MAS or equivalent contract vehicles, leverage contacts to win small prime bids and continue to grow sub-contracts 20 - 50 employees - Hire some support staff (finance, proposal...
4 days ago • 1 min read
GSA rep responding to my proposalSource This past summer I submitted a proposal to GSA to get on their Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) which allows government agencies to buy your services at pre-negotiated prices. We submitted proposed bill rates for different LCATS and the GSA rep has responded, proposing some counter prices and a lower annual escalation rate. What's interesting is that even though we are negotiating, the whole thing is very routine. She asked that we just respond to her...
7 days ago • 1 min read
How I feel about taking a lower bill rateSource If you managed to negotiate a high 1099 bill rate, congratulations! The highest I've ever billed is $183/hour. I then took a gig billing $162/hour, because it allowed me to hire an employee. But now that I'm in the market for another 1099 gig, I'm psychologically anchored to a minimum of $160/hour and would really prefer $180/hour. The problem is, there aren't a ton of gigs for my type of work at $180/hour. They exist, but there are less of...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Someone who knows where she is valuedSource I had a few flaws as a W2 employee: I didn't like to work on assignments I didn't want to do (and often not do them) I wasn't a team player I had lots of new unwelcome ideas to make things better at the company These were flaws because as a junior employee, you are expected to simply be reliable and do the work. I was a bad junior employee. However, as a solo 1099, these became virtues: I only choose projects I want to work on, meaning I can do...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Should start with "1099 is time" at the beginning of this equationSource When I first went 1099, I worked only four days per week (and not even full days most of the time). It was glorious. I later moved to a full time schedule, but I'm still inclined to take time off for myself and leave money on the table. But, you may be biased towards working more and earning more money instead of taking time off. That's great too, and going 1099 is a great way to get ahead financially. The important...
10 days ago • 1 min read
When a prime calls and asks for your helpSource I switched projects over a year ago, and the prime hired someone for my position. The prime PM called me recently and mentioned that their employee wasn't performing well on a project that I had worked on and asked if I would be interested in coming back. Now, I had already worked on this project as a sub/1099 so I don't have to negotiate that part. However, they only have four months left on the contract and need to make their client happy, so...
11 days ago • 1 min read
The prime PM when I pitch $1,000/hourSource It's normal to worry about coming in too high in a billable rate negotiation. There is some risk that you'll throw out a number that is too far away from a realistic number for the prime. But, if you take some precautions this risk is low. Here is what you can do to avoid that situation: Let the prime offer the first number. They will probably be on the low end but at least you'll know whether you're $10/hour apart or $60/hour Do your research. You...
14 days ago • 1 min read