Hi Jungle Kings and Queens!

Today I received a call from a new customer asking me for some service I don’t provide, not even close to be able to try. However, I know an agency which could do this easily.

Now I would like to know if you charge a commission in giving away your projects to other agencies and if so, how.

Usually I don’t charge any of my closer partners as we all give something (ie other projects) back in return and we all are doing good with this.

But this agency is not that close to me and we don’t have any project “sharing” on-going. So I wonder if I should charge them a project commission.

Any suggestions?

Nick

@monica13997 Usually I’m doing exactly this.But I also know that this agency isn’t giving anything to the outside. If they can’t do it by their own, they don’t do it or refer it… or they open a new job position on their board  

I want to help this customer as the idea seems to be a nice one. I also won’t do it by my own with a couple of partners or freelancer as the project is just too big.

@nickrock

You could approach an agency and ask if this is something they would be interested in for the future. This could be added value to your own service offering and expand your own portfolio.. As a mutually beneficial service you would be able to quote for this (in conjuction with the agency) and add on a percentage to the customer (say 10%)? I know this is what a lot of other companies do in my neck of the woods.

@nickrock

I do get where you are at, I am in a similar position where I am being asked about SEO for websites which I don’t feel qualified to do. So I am looking for a local company who will take on the work at a slightly reduced fee (say 10%) with the potential for more business to come, so you can charge the customer the normal agency fee, and you are recompensed for the negotiation part of the project. If this works for you, it will result in more business for the agency and yourself, so It can be a win win situation.

@nickrock

If you think about it from the point of view that you are providing a solution for the customer, that is what they will remember ….. . And by being the ‘go between’ you also manage to keep it inhouse and possibly forge a new business relationship which will reap dividends? And if you are able to negotiate a % discount with the agency, and just charge your customer the normal cost, you are on to a winner! Hopefully!

 
@nickrock

Good luck Nick, let me know how it goes?

I think that, like many comments here, what goes around comes around, and your nice gesture will come back to you – in some form. It usually does.However, it sounds like this agency doesn’t have your highest opinion of them, and perhaps you would fee more comfortable finding another company or agency who does the work, really well, and is more like-minded to your thinking and work habits. What is the gig, maybe someone here can help or recommend someone?As for straight out asking, or demanding a commission, I have friends in big agencies, and they’ve experienced this type of situation and it never seemed to turn out well, so I would suggest against it, personally.I don’t really understand the “take and not give back” mentality of some people and corporations, but I know they’re out there…