The recent post about Sam charging $1000/hr (http://samsoff.es/posts/one-thousand-dollars-an-hour) and the fact that my current client just spent $30K on a load testing provider who didn't provide much value made me think about the things I should do to be able to naturally raise my rates.<p>Here are the things I can think of:<p>- Raise my profile by speaking in local events<p>- Polish my website to showcase my experience (10 years in .NET and numerous side projects)<p>- Pick a niche that provides high perceived value: security / training / load testing (apparently)<p>- Charge per day or per week rather than per hour (as suggested by patio11)<p>What else do you suggest me to do or has worked for you?
The easiest way to raise your rates is to raise your rates.<p>Totally not joking. One of the reasons tptacek and I go on the war path about this is that us geeks seem to be culturally abominable at properly pricing things. I mean, half the comments on the $1,000 an hour rate are people who a) are geeks selling services and b) <i>want the geek to lose</i>.<p>There are other ways to raise your rates:<p>1) Specialize in a particular thing which is in-demand by...<p>2) ... savvy clients who receive a high, easily quantifiable value from it and ...<p>3) ... has limited competition available.<p>But even HNers who do, e.g., commodity PHP web development could probably get 50-100% more just by turning down anyone who doesn't pay 50-100% more.
Why do you need a specific reason?<p>If you feel you are worth more money, starting quoting projects appropriately. The market will respond with data ( or lack thereof) which you can incorporate.
One element that I feel is quite important in the post you mentioned (Sam charging 1k per hour) is that Sam has actually shipped something, though I don't know how successful his app is. I'm guessing that a lot of devs don't have this experience (A - Z participation in shipping something.) Even a lot of small start-up devs are likely shielded from many of the headaches that go into doing something like this. The experience he has picked up is very valuable and could probably sell a lot of hours in client work.
Just do it. No one will come down on you or anything. Do a quick A/B test. For the following clients, split them in two. Given side A your current rate, and side B your new rate. Measure the difference and prepare to realize that there is none. People who will hire you will hire you. Money gravitates to those who ask for it, and not to those who "deserve" it.