Monday, April 28, 2008

Is it illegal to demand an initial security deposit before starting a web design freelance job

Is it illegal to demand an initial security deposit before starting a web design freelance job?
I'm recently starting up a freelance web design sole proprietorship on the side, and a recent client of mine backed out of a contract stating that it was illegal to demand a security deposit. From my research no actual signs point to this statement as being factual, yet I would like to confirm my suspicion.

Law & Ethics - 4 Answers
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1 :
When entering into a work contract, it is perfectly legal for you to set up the payment terms any way you wish. You may grant net terms, require a security deposit, or even require payment in full upfront. For work of this nature, it is customary to require a down payment prior to starting work, and then offer net 30 terms on subsequent payments. If someone doesn't wish to make any payments upfront, you should be very Leary about accepting them as a client, and may wish to check out their credit or their references first.
2 :
Of course it isn't. You could even require clients to pay in full up front if you chose.... though I suspect you'd get very little work that way. You say he "backed out of a contract". Had he already signed the contract when he changed his mind? If he had then you, of course, can sue him for your lost profit. Richard
3 :
In God We Trust. All others, pay upfront. Unless you've run their credit, or a D&B on their business, you're assuming all the risk for getting paid AFTER you've completed the work. Of course, if you're dumb enough, I mean if you choose, to run your business that way, you're entitled to do so. But nothing in the law prevents you from requiring full payment, partial payment, down payment, deposit, or retainer. The customer may be always right, but some customers you're better off without. Sounds like your client was one of them. In fact, I do occasional work for political parties. I take cash or credit card for the full amount, up front, or no work. Republican or Democrat, both have screwed me in the past. As soon as the elections are over, the checks bounce and the temporary corporations they created have been dissolved.
4 :
I set up my freelance/contract work to be paid on a 40-30-30 schedule. 40% deposit up front to begin the contract. 30% payment is due when the initial design & content are fully approved. The final 30% due when the final files are delivered to the clients server and the site is live and functioning. 40-30-30 is pretty common in the industry

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Why is Movie Script writing so rare on freelance job websites

Why is Movie Script writing so rare on freelance job websites?
I have search about 75 to 100 different sites and about 2 of the websites have "Movie Script writing" in there job listing. They don't even have it in the job categories for someone if they wish to they could post that type of job. To Steve D: Thanks. I will see to it you get best answer.
Other - Careers & Employment - 1 Answers
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1 :
Because movie production companies are overwhelmed with freelance scripts and toss them in the basket. In order to avoid copyright arguments, they go through literary agents

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

How much commission should i give to someone that gets me a freelance job

How much commission should i give to someone that gets me a freelance job?
Hi, i make 3d animation and motion graphics for tv ads. A friend recently got a deal with a tv network to make 30 animations, he wants to split the earnings 50-50 buy im doing all the work and all the equipment is mine, so I dont beleive a 50-50 split is fair, what percentage would be fair to give him for getting the job? I almost forgot but he got the job by showng my demo-reel.

Other - Business & Finance - 1 Answers
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1 :
Depends on the industry. In my day job I pay 8% of the net profit to my sales reps., in my sidework I'm a contractor and I get paid and agreed upon amount less a 15% commission. Ask around to some other designers in your field

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

What does a cover letter for a freelance design job look like? Different from a regular design job letter

What does a cover letter for a freelance design job look like? Different from a regular design job letter?
I'm a designer but I want to do some freelance work and I don't know if I submit a cover letter as a response to an ad for a freelance designer like I would if I were apply for a firm job or if I submit a proposal or what.
Careers & Employment - 3 Answers
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1 :
Write a good cover letter, indicating your freedom to take on freelance jobs, and attach one sample of your work. If you need a cover letter website, try: jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters Good luck!
2 :
they are the same
3 :
The format for a cover letter is usually the same or can be used for many different careers. Just use what you have and alter it a little

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

where can I get freelance IT job works on line

where can I get freelance IT job works on line?
I would like to do some freelance offshore it job works. I have about 7+ years of programming exprence in software. Work would be done remotely and delivered over ftp or email.
Software - 0 Answers

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1 :
try: http://www.elance.com and click on MarketPlace the link is in bottom, last line

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Should I have to pay taxes on Freelance Job material costs

Should I have to pay taxes on Freelance Job material costs?
I did freelance work for a Library this past Summer. I received an honorarium from them of $5,000 which also included my cost for materials in the payment. Should I have to pay tax on the full amount of $5,000, since I really only earned about $3,000 of that minus the materials cost? I just received my 1099 form and it lists the full $5000 as compensation and therefore taxable.
United States - 5 Answers
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1 :
You should write in the material cost as a deduction.
2 :
Of course you kept the receipts for the materials and other expenses related to the project and you will of course itemize them on your return. And then you will of course keep them for the next 8 years in a safe place because you will of course be audited because that is how the IRS structures their time.
3 :
wow dude. Your not really a contractor are you? or just starting out? If your just starting out I will give you two bits of advice that has served me very well. 1)Hire the best people you can absolutely afford, then get out of their way and let them do their job. If you hired good people you wont need to 'boss' them. 2)CPA, CPA get a good CPA. A good CPA will cost you a little penny. (400 to 1,000 dollars depending on what you need from them) Now mind you I said CPA not that guy sitting at a folding table in the mall, and not those guys that will give you a same day 'instant tax rebate loan'. An actual CPA knows the tax law and knows what the IRS does not really care for you to know. things like: No that $5,000.00 is not taxable, and niether is that $3,000.00 . On that job you should have no more than $700 that counts as taxable income. (unless you make 60 to 80K on a 1099 format) If you have more than $700 of that end up as taxable, you aint doin your taxes right and you need a CPA. It may be too late for you to protect the lion's share of that money from the govt. or not, Be sure and file an extension before the April deadline, and set an appointment to see a CPA, this is the wrong time of year to be CPA hunting but you might get lucky. and certainly someone can work you in before your extension runs out. The cpa will tell you what can be protected from '07, and how to position yourself to protect your income in '08 and on. You can work a little bit to keep Uncle Sam from getting most of your money, or you can say 'it's not worth trying to figure it out, it's tooo confusing' Or the funniest one I hear: " I want my money back today, even if I am only getting about 20% of what I 'could' get." Protect your money, you earned it. Get a CPA
4 :
You will report this income on schedule C (Form 1040). You can deduct your business related expenses. Your net income is subject to self employment tax at 15.3%. For more info on self employed filing or independent contractor filing read: http://taxgeek.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2EEA05E22BF141DC!119.entry
5 :
since you have to list this income on a schedule C, all related expenses are deducted from this income on the schedule C to arrive at your taxable "business" income - you will also need sch E for the FICA tax calculation related to that 1099 net income

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Friday, April 4, 2008

How much should I charge for a freelance job creating logos

How much should I charge for a freelance job creating logos?
Here's a quick background info. I got my BA in graphic design, been working for about 2 years in graphic design and I am currently on salary for 35k. Haven't done freelance work since I've been so busy but I've got lots of free time now and wanna start doing it. I've been asked to create some logos but I'm not sure what to put my rate at. This is strictly graphic design work, no web coding or web videos. Just graphics like logos or converting to vector.

Drawing & Illustration - 2 Answers
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1 :
hi there - Im the director of marketing for CSE Graphic Outfitters. We specialize in Direct Embroidery, Screen Print, Heat Sublimation and custom/standard patches. I used to head up a team for the same thing you are doing. In the past other free lance graphic designers had a very similar structure for the following. 3 logo designs - $59.00 No Changes 6 logo designs - $89.00 3 changes 8 logo designs unlimited changes - $250.00 Usually if people purchase the 6 logo designs with 3 changes the most. If you start messing with the 8 logo designs with unlimited changes people usually wont be happy with anything you produce and end up spending more time than its worth. These are some basic packages that they structured but you can play with the numbers on your own. Hope this helps with a good starting point. Good luck Luke CSE Graphic Outfitters email for yahoo answers: cseGraphicOutfitters@yahoo.com website: www.cseGraphicOutfitters.com - under construction
2 :
There is a lot of difference in what you charge depending on where you ar based. I linked to a blog post recently that gave average wages (full time and freelance) for the UK and US you can check out my post with the link http://www.graphicdesignblog.co.uk/what-is-the-average-graphic-designer-wage

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Tuesday, April 1, 2008

how much tax do i have to pay for a graphic design freelance job

how much tax do i have to pay for a graphic design freelance job?
i just did a freelance job for $2000 and was wondering what portion of that i should set aside for the taxes ill owe at the end of the year from this? I'm 21 and single in california
United States - 2 Answers
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1 :
At least $285 for the self-employment tax. If that's your entire income for the year, that will be it. If you have other income the income tax will depend upon your total income for the year.
2 :
your self employment tax will be approx 15.3% of your Sch C net which is where you will report this income and a Sch Se for the self employment tax if this is your only income you more than likely will not owe any income tax but the se tax has to be paid

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