I'm an unselfish, reliable, loyal, polite, clever, honest, resolute, shy man. Theese are remarkable characteristics for a programmer but they seams to be great disadvantages for customer/commercial relationships.

I end up giving too much to clients: I believe their stories, I lower my prices, I try to do anything possible to meet (and surpass) their expectations and to help them to achieve their goals, to make them happy. I believe computers can make life easier and I Know I have the knowledge to let it happens (I have two degrees in computer science).

It seems I should gain a lot, instead I'm in loss, earning in a year less then an employee's monthly paycheck... and I have to pay taxes, accountant, gas, adsl, as every other programmer... fortunately I live with my parents who help me buying clothes, pizzas with friends, ...

Recently I begin to think I need someone to help me with customer/commercial relationships. Someone who can prevent me to make all the mistakes probably I'm not aware of and that bring me to give too much to clients. I think I need the help of a manager, but before searching on-line, I'd like to know what percentage I have to expect to pay him/her (just to avoid another cheater) or if there's a better way to solve my problem. Even with an high percentage I think I could start to earn something. He/she should search customers, give me advise for advertising on my website and how much charge clients for what I do.

I could learn how to be a good seller/marketer, but I'm afraid it takes too much time and I prefer to write programs. Even after all my efforts, reaping legal problems, working even 11 month for free, obtaining losses in 7 years (since I start my job as a freelancer), I can't force myself to aim to become a seller/marketer. Maybe I simply can't do everything on my own.

Thank you for your help.