[sbdiane]

I have toyed with the idea of freelancing for a long time, but I've never really gotten very far. I want to give it another go. I feel a strong desire to prove to myself that I can take care of myself without latching on to the nipple of corporate America.

My problem is that I am usually asked right at the beginning what my rates are but I never feel like I can answer that question. I am not sure what is better, to charge by the hour or by the job. I charged by the job when I did some freelancing as a partner and it worked ok, but some clients never wanted to sign off and say the work was done. What do you think? Also, do you have standard rates or do you charge different for different kinds of clients or work?

Also, it seems that most people don't even know what they want. I prefer to meet them and see if I can find out, but lots of times that ends up being coffee with a stranger and not getting any work because either they couldn't figure out what they wanted or their problem was so simple I could answer a question in 5 minutes and that's all they needed. How do you handle this part of the process, the figuring out what the job is part? Do you give free consultation? Do you charge for this?

Any other tips? I'm really very un-business-savvy and not really a people person but I do think I can do this if I can get over the initial fear and ignorance.