Comments on: Ask STC-Montreal: How to Price International Contract Work http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/02/20/ask-stc-montreal-how-to-price-international-contract-work/ The source for technical communicators in Montreal Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:02:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jim Royal http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/02/20/ask-stc-montreal-how-to-price-international-contract-work/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Jim Royal Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:28:42 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=474#comment-587 Dear E.L., There's more than exchange rates that affect pricing of contract services; the cost of living varies widely across North America. It would be good to do some research on the going rates for services in the cities where your prospective clients live. This will tell you what their expectations will be, and you will have more information on the competitive landscape than they will. Fact is, if the going rate for technical writing in City A is $50/hour and the going rate in City B is $75 an hour, you're better off looking for contract work from employers in City B... even if you actually live in City C where the rate is $40/hour. The employer in City B will more more likely to pay you a higher rate. Dear E.L.,

There’s more than exchange rates that affect pricing of contract services; the cost of living varies widely across North America. It would be good to do some research on the going rates for services in the cities where your prospective clients live. This will tell you what their expectations will be, and you will have more information on the competitive landscape than they will.

Fact is, if the going rate for technical writing in City A is $50/hour and the going rate in City B is $75 an hour, you’re better off looking for contract work from employers in City B… even if you actually live in City C where the rate is $40/hour. The employer in City B will more more likely to pay you a higher rate.

]]>