To maximize your success through Guru.com, submit proposals for projects with thoughtful estimates of both the cost for the work and the time in which you can complete it. Sometimes, however, Employers post vague project descriptions because they don't understand the full scope of their project or the costs involved. Employers look to experts like you to help them articulate their project and determine a fair price.
So how can you offer competitive yet reasonable estimates?
When the project posting is vague, use a few tricks:
General Tips
- Include a polite disclaimer: "This proposal may change when more details are available."
- Consider the given information, but account for your best guesses about other aspects of the project: "I see that you request a website for your small company. If you're interested in a brochure-type website that includes the layout and programming up to 20 pages, I usually charge $X / hour or $X per page."
- Base your estimates on your relevant past work: "Recently, I designed a tri-fold brochure for a Charlotte-based carpet reseller. I completed this project in 20 hours and the final cost was $X. While I'm unclear about the full scope of your needs, I hope this example gives you an idea of my pricing and time estimates."
- Make suggestions to broaden the service: "You indicate that you're looking for a technical writer. Not only can I satisfy your writing requirements, but I can also provide design and layout services, if needed. I typically charge $X - $X per hour for these services."
- Ask questions in your proposal that will help you to provide a more accurate estimate.
Cost Estimates
Though you must first state your total estimated budget for the project, within the proposal you can present your cost estimates in various ways, including per hour, per project, per page, and per word.
For example, writers often calculate fees per word / page, but Employers may be unfamiliar with this standard. Instead, you may want to present your cost estimate in industry and non-technical terms, such as, "I submit a proposed cost estimate of $X [250 pages with approximately 750 words per page at a cost of $X per word]."
The suggestions below might help you determine a suitable price.
- Call firms that offer the services you offer to check their rates.
- Check with friends, colleagues, or freelance pros in the same industry, and ask what they charge.
- Check with professional organizations that cater to your profession, as most strive to help their members gauge the going rate.
- Base your rate on what you've charged for similar work.
Time Estimates
Time estimates may also depend on many criteria. It may help if you break the work into its components.
For instance, if you apply for a web design project, but you don't know the size of the website, you can say, "I propose completion in 3 weeks, including: 1 week of homepage design, 1 day of internal page design, 6 days for graphic and text upload for up to 20 pages, 2 days of customer review, and 5 days to make and upload the completed website."
Use the suggestions below to determine a time estimate for the work requested.
- Call firms that offer the services you offer to check their time quotes.
- Check with friends, colleagues, or freelance professionals in the same industry, and ask how long they think the project might take.
- Base your time estimate on how long you've taken to complete similar work.
Closing Thought
Rather than viewing a vague project posting as a source of frustration, consider it an opportunity to turn the situation in your favor by convincing an Employer of your expertise. Offer ballpark cost and time estimates based on similar projects you or others have completed in the past, and help the Employer understand the full scope and cost of their project, once you are able to speak to them personally. Employers hire Freelancers who demonstrate expertise, cooperation, and patience. A vague project posting allows you to prove your unique ability to cultivate success.
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