As a simple rule, you can usually break MVP clients into two groups:
1. Cash poor wantrapreneurs who expect the world but can't pay for it.
2. Entrepreneurs with realistic expectations who are able and willing to pay a fair rate for labor. The founder of Groove is a good example[1].
The person interested in a 3 week engagement that costs $2,345 is more likely to fall into the first group.
You want to do everything you can to avoid the first group, even if you're starting out and trying to build a portfolio. These clients are far less likely to collaborate with you effectively and far more likely to be unprofitable to serve. Additionally, because they don't have the capital reasonably required to execute on their ideas, you'll probably never build long-term relationships, which are very desirable for solos.
In terms of targeting the latter group, which would enable you to charge a lot more, you're far more likely to be successful if you can demonstrate that you have some product development chops. A lot of entrepreneurs need help translating their knowledge and ideas into functional requirements; many of them are not going to come to you with ready-to-implement wireframes, user stories, specifications, etc. These entrepreneurs need a partner who is capable of being involved in the tasks that come before implementation.
1. Cash poor wantrapreneurs who expect the world but can't pay for it.
2. Entrepreneurs with realistic expectations who are able and willing to pay a fair rate for labor. The founder of Groove is a good example[1].
The person interested in a 3 week engagement that costs $2,345 is more likely to fall into the first group.
You want to do everything you can to avoid the first group, even if you're starting out and trying to build a portfolio. These clients are far less likely to collaborate with you effectively and far more likely to be unprofitable to serve. Additionally, because they don't have the capital reasonably required to execute on their ideas, you'll probably never build long-term relationships, which are very desirable for solos.
In terms of targeting the latter group, which would enable you to charge a lot more, you're far more likely to be successful if you can demonstrate that you have some product development chops. A lot of entrepreneurs need help translating their knowledge and ideas into functional requirements; many of them are not going to come to you with ready-to-implement wireframes, user stories, specifications, etc. These entrepreneurs need a partner who is capable of being involved in the tasks that come before implementation.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7604055