Hello - I am relatively new to the world of freelancing, and have a quick question for fellow freelancers / independents - I am occasionally asked to 'observe' someone delivering a training workshop that I will then deliver by myself in the future, and the deal is that I get a 'nominal' rate for the day (it's about a third of what I would earn if I was delivering it myself) and NO expenses. Is this a standard practice? I would be travelling a 100 mile round trip for example for my next 'observation' day. Any feedback would be really helpful, thanks!
2 Responses
it kinda depends
There is no "standard practice"; I've been freelancing for over 20 years and some clients pay you the full rate to do this, some expect you to do it for free as an investment. Some pay expenses, some don't.
That doesn't help but the important thing for you is to decide how much of an investment you are prepared to make and this will be based on the return you are likely to get……if they have already committed a couple of dozen days into your diary, crack on. If it is all a bit "suck it and see" then you may feel as if the arrangement is a bit one sided.
Ditto on the subject of expenses…..I have clients who agree an all inclusive day rate for delivery at given locations, others pay 45ppm for driving and others pay 25ppm…..what you accept is the new "standard"!
There is also no standard practice for materials……some clients provide very detailed facilitator guides, slides, workbooks and hand-outs. Some just ask you to go and deliver a one day workshop on X topic……..
Rus Slater
freelancer expenses
Thanks Rus – that's really helpful!