I’m the one with the question about asking for a raise…sort of. Does anyone have any ideas on my other dilemma, about whether to check in with the other writer on the site about asking for a raise? Or does everyone just agree that each of us has our own rate and I shouldn’t even worry about what he’s doing? Thanks!

Glad I’m not the only one that likes to see my name in print .

As for a raise, it doesn’t hurt to ask, but be willing to negotiate. I ran into a situation where I did the job requested and the job was then doubled (but the pay was not going to be). I simply said that my rates were higher than that and I couldn’t afford the pay cut. The client explained the situation and apologized for the change. Since the client was also in a bind I agreed to do the new job for less than I would have normally taken, but more than was originally offered. That client has since provided me with several nice paying gigs!

I have a “cash cow” that I have been with for 4 years. The first year, I had a set fee. Second year I raised my rates by 3%. Third year they cut projects so I lost money (because my flat fee was based on a set # of projects). It hurt my purse a bit, of course, however, because I know that the company is having hard times, I told them I would ride it out with them and am not raising any fees for 2009. I mentioned this early on in the year and am sticking to it. I found out through the grapevine that there was talk of turning my job in-house (because of $$) but because I was not only a great resource but also accommodating to their financial issues, they were firm that they were sticking by me as I had stuck by them.’

I believe that being paid fairly and asking for raises are legit practices but I would be cautious about the timing of asking for raising and working with your “good” clients.