We usually don't know anything about project management and with the promise of being paid we rush and we accept any project thrown at us without realizing that we are signin a deal with the devil.
Be carefull for the projects you need to run away from
1.They will pay you... with more jobs
Freelancers often are a convenient outsourcing power because the low fees in our services could fit a low budget project, but when the budget is just way too low the managers usually throw the promise to give us more job later instead of the initial payment agreement.
That is just wrong and a very expensive scam for you. You'll work for them for almost-free costs and the profits from the projects will go right to their pockets. After that they will give you the "we don't see any further projects right now" speech and move on. Even if they throw a new project for you they will still try to negotiate a lower fee arguing that things are not going so well but more projects are comming. If you think carefully that doesn't have any sense at all.
It's very likely that if you stand firm and refuse to lower your fees they will never contact you again, but trust me, you are better that way.
2. Nobody knows exaclty what the app is supposed to do.
You meet with someone at the office (if it's on a public space then be warned, they don't even have an office) they will explain you the main idea, they will talk about your experience, they will love you, you will feel very comfortable and if you are lucky they will hire you.
The first warning: A week after you got the job, you haven't heard anything from them. Someone sent you some screenshots of some ugly drawings so you start with it.
The things get ugly: You have some sketches from drawings made in MS Paint, you have to assemble what is the app supposed to do by some words with no sense from an e-mail. Good thing is that there is not a deadline.
You are doomed: The initial draft you made for the app has to be dumped. In the last meeting they brought things up that you never heard before. They added so many features nobody ever told you before and they need some images added but no one know who is making those. Worst part? You already signed.
Don't call me again: The app is a disaster. You wrapped it trying to fit the ridiculous requests from your contractor. You are aware of a thousand bugs and hardcoded functions that you had to do on a monday at 3:00 A.M. because they needed that for the next morning.
When you are signing, you must have a sheet with all the features of the app named requirements agreement. They have to agree that everything out of that sheet will have an additional cost and will extend delivery dates. There can't be anything left unattended or you will have to do it for free. Proctect your job and your quality.
3. You will be doing... everything
"... after the login, the app will load the configuration for the user and it will show you your info and your preferences..." - "That sounds great. (You should always ask this) Are those login services built or how do I get the answer from the service?" - "Oh... well, you could build those first but whatever you do will be fine"
So they not only want you to build an app. They need you to build a web service, a webpage, a database and an admin panel.
Sure it sounds like a lot of money, you could charge a lot and have a decent job for a few months, what could possibly go wrong? The down part is that there is just way too much job to be done. Anything going wrong it's your fault, anything delayed it's your fault, anything left behind is your fault. You will have to deal with several technologies to build an entire framework.
Make sure you can delegate the work to other freelancers or be very clear with the manager that you can't do all by yourself. Get rid of huge projects that will drown you in work for 6 months. You have to work for a living, not a life to work.
4. They will not pay you... at all.
Charity sounds great... for a church. It doesn't matter that is "for a right cause". You can't pay rent from good actions. I'ts not like you don't want to do any good to the world and create a better society, but unfortunately you have expenses and you can't give away your job for free.
Adding unpaid experience too your resume is a bad idea. Managers will see it as an oportunity to play projects like the #1 in this list. If they need free work, then can get it from colleges and "wanna-be rockstars because they saw 'Social Network' and want to play the 'I'm that guy'". You are a freelancer, you are a pro! you are not the kind of guy that needs them, they need you and you need to get paid for everything you do. Also there is a famous quote: 'If you are good doing something, never do it for free'.
Thanks for reading!
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