Rates
I've invested a lot of time, effort, and money in development of my skill set. I expect to be compensated fairly, but I'm amenable to negotiation of compensation agreements that are palatable to my clients.
Payment
Before beginning work on a project, I require a down payment. The amount of the required down payment is based on the specifics of the particular project. The down payment is "earnest money" to demonstrate that a client is serious about going through with the project.
For relatively small projects, payment can be made in two installments: the down payment and the final payment. For larger projects, a milestone-based payment schedule will be developed.
Payment can be made by credit card, check, or wire transfer.
In lieu of the arrangements outlined above, I'm happy to work within third-party escrow systems.