What is the most appropriate way (and is it) to ask for a raise ( i am an independent contractor)?

Question

I am a self employed medical transcriptionist. I have been working for the same doctor's office for five years this September. They got a new office manager about a year ago who I actually worked with previously and do not have a good track record with (however she acts sweet on the outside). She is the one that pays the bills for the doctors. I would like to ask for a 1 cent raise ( i get paid by the line, not by the hour) bringing it up to 13 cents a line (65 characters). I have been making 12 cents for five years. Is this an appropriate time to ask, and does anyone know how I should go about it? (i'm 25 and have never been in this situation cause I've always had the same job :) Thanks guys

Answer 1

Wow, I've been an MT for 9 years for a large transcription company and I only make 9 cents a line! I was making 8 cents a line until last year and, the way I was able to get a raise, was I shopped around and looked into other companies (because I knew my company wouldn't give me a raise without feeling like they had to). I applied for positions to see what they would offer me and went to my supervisor with that. They ended up giving me the 1 cent raise to keep me. This is always a route you can try if you really want to stay. Who knows, you may end up getting a better offer out of it.

I am not self-employed and receive benefits and work at home so I'm sure that is why my line rate is less than what you are making right now.

Answer 2

You may need to do a little homework. What are others in your field with your experience being paid? Because you're self-employed, you really need to sit down and make yourself a business case. Why should they employ you instead of someone else? What are they getting for their money vs. someone else? Make an appointment and go in prepared. Don't just try to mumble your way through it on the spur of the moment.

Answer 3

Check around and see if you could do better before asking then if you want to stay negotiate from a position of strength saying "I really wanted to stay with you but I need a raise to make ends meet, and these guys are offering more."

Answer 4

just ask in a nice way