I've been M/F contracting for 5 yrs and it's not a nice feeling knowing your agent takes in %1500 or so from your rate. The fact is, I've signed a contract for a rate I'm willing to work for and that I believe I would not have gotten otherwise given my situation at that point in time. My agent might have convinced the client to pay $500/hr for my services but what are the chances of convincing this client myself to pay me even half of that?
Most of my clients are very large corporation and therefore so beaureuratic that they won't deal individual consultants except thru agencies, citing legal blurbs, etc.
At the end of the contract 3, 6 mos. or 1yr. I've had the chance to prove to my client and my agent that my services are valuable enough to merit a considerable raise. Before my contract ends I'm
testing the market by looking for other opportunities. This way I'll always have options when its time for the negotiation game.
There's a lesson to learn here from the fact that your agent was willing to "raise the ante" now that you already have a definite option. See, if I was your agent and I'm getting $35 w/ you mostly doing the work for me and you come to me and say you've found another option, would I really want to go to the trouble of looking for another person for the job? Remember, I have to explain to my client why they are losing this important resource and it will not leave a good impression to them if they lose you because of my greed or incompetence. So, if $40/hr or 45/hr was going to make you happy then I should not see a problem with that.
If you think about it you could have gotten $40/hr to start with but you just did not have enough options otherwise.
Now that you've signed for 80K, don't feel bad if you find people earning tons more than you do. You'd probably find contractors in your place getting 50-60/hr, who knows.
My point is, it's a jungle out there so be prepared to accept the harsh realities of life and the law of supply and demand. Just be true to yourself. Whether you're contracting or on full-time employment your neigbour's
grass will always be greener so console yourself with the fact that you're doing what you love to do and getting paid for it. You will never be happy looking at the other side of the
fence all the time.
You have 2 accounts to take care of. Your FINANCIALs may be up or down (just a little I hope) but your EXPERIENCEs will always grow (again, depending on your outlook).
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~James Baud Talk, does not cook rice. - Chinese Proverb