Wait, so they're offering you cash (I'm assuming at standard $200/hr consultant's rate), and you instead are asking for a unicorn (shares of something that has a statistically tiny chance of ever generating a good profit)?
That just boggles my mind.
That just boggles my mind.
Good for you. These people aren't the ones who you'd like to work with anyway, very likely to be toxic clients.
>>> I've tried £50/hr, £40/hr, and now £20/hr
By lowering your requerements, you are attracting more slamming-the-phone clients. Stick to at the very least 50/hr (if I remember well, ~400/d is a common rate for contractors in North, e.g. Leeds). Raise it to 75/hr if you are not junior. It will take longer to get a gig, but it will pay off.
>>> This is in the NW of the UK
Damn, I miss Manchester :) sorry for getting carried away :)
>>> I'm likely not going to get paid anyway
Why wouldn't you? You are not a charity organization, you shouldn't be providing free work. You are providing a valuable service, so you should charge the appropriate rates. You don't owe anything to anyone.
Also, if you are willing to work cheap / for free, you will be treated poorly more often than not.
So raise your rates, be patient, don't let others take advantage of you and everything will be alright ;)
If I wanted to I could take contract work in Manchester and earn twice what I'm on now. But I don't want the 3 hour commute.
So you might say, "well that's your problem right there!" and I accept that. But I was thinking that I might be able to solve the problem I've specified without doing the obvious, "move to Manchester."
Get online to industry-related job boards and search for 'remote', 'anywhere', or 'telecommute' opportunities, especially in places where the cost of living is higher than yours.
I would check out Github's job board, AuthenticsJobs.com , and te Smashing !agasine job board. not the most glamorous places but I have found work!
Good luck, and charge your full rate, you are worth full price :)