I just have one question:
Just how many hours a day do I have to work before I break even?
It seems that no matter how hard I work or what promises people make I just can’t get any money in the bank. I just don’t know how to get any more hours in the day. I generally work from 4 a.m. to about 8 at night (with a break for lunch), but after the monthly bills there just isn’t any money left over. Maybe it’s time for me to raise my rates a little? (Or maybe I should quit giving everyone breaks on their bill. I have a hard time asking for money.)
Ah well. We still have the house, a car, a bike, a dog and a cat, and I don’t have a boss.
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I can’t imagine going out n my own like you have Chris, I don’t have that kind of guts! Maybe you do need to be just a bit tougher on collecting payment, because you have to make money just like everyone else. Can you imagine going to the car dealer and asking for a break at the service department?
Didn’t think so…
i can relate most strongly, my brother…if my band’s fee was compensorate to what we are really worth soundwise, experience-wise, professionalim-wise, we would get at least ten times what we normally do…but, we have to work and pay bills…it doesn’t help when there are weekend warrior bands out there playing for beers and gas money…
…hang in there, Chris…and maybe find a friend named Guido to do your collections for you…
Diversification is the only way. Hang tough!
I can relate. All you want to do is creative stuff, not all this “business” stuff. Be hard-nosed when it comes to your billing, even to friends and family. You’ll get used to it.
I would be terrible at collecting payment, but I guess it’s either higher rates or more jobs, right? That, or robbing banks.
Isn’t autonomy wonderful, despite the shortage of cash! Yeah, there are moments of insecurity, but compared to bitterness, and other tradeoffs, you are in a good space. Hang in there – you are entrepreneurial and certainly capable of making a happy living without selling your soul. 😎
Life is good…if you pay attention!
VJP
Ask for what you’re charging to start with, no breaks, except for yourself. Or give me all the money and I’ll take care of it for you. And by take care of it, I mean spend it. Leave me out of it now that I think about it.