jim wrote:
> I have checked around at several places and found the hourly
> rates to vary between $30.00 and $100.00+.

For your reference, we currently charge from $90 to $125 per hour depending
on the exact task and who does it.

> I have decided to set my hourly rate to $25.00 as I am an unknown
> player in the consulting field.

Really bad idea, unless your expertise is truly only worth $25/hour, in
which case you shouldn't even think about consulting.

> So to get a foothold in the market, I'll start low.

It doesn't work that way.  Consulting is largely not price sensitive.
Customers will hire you for your expertise, and then only want to know your
price is not out of line.  The few unsophisticated customers that buy on
price are more trouble than they are worth.  In good times (and this is a
good time in this business despite the global economy), you simply walk away
from customers like that.

What you can get away with charging will be lower for someone starting out.
However, if you go too far below the reasonable rate you only cast doubts on
your ability and nobody will touch you.  Perceived quality is somewhat
proportional to price.

> So, if anyone has anything they need done, let me know and I'll give
> you a quote on the time necessary to finish the job.

While you might occasionally do a fixed price job, these have a lot of risk
and you need experience to set the price correctly.  Stay away from fixed
price jobs for starters.


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