Small Business | Forum « Working With Clients

Working With Clients (8 posts)

Topic tags: marketing, small business

Joan Muschamp (Fagnani) said
4 months, 1 week ago:
Do you put clients on a monthly retainer, work on a project basis, or have a set schedule for a fixed length (eg 6-2 hour sessions, every other week for $x)?
Or do you have another model, and what do you like best/find easiest to manage?
I am making some adjustments to focus on what I do best and love to do, so I can a)be happier and b)increase revenues
Interested in feedback
@joanmuschampfagnani | # | Top
E N Brown said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@joanmuschampfagnani
Hello Joan.
This is not a hard one to answer and you may find it is what you do now.
I charge a monthly retainer for ongoing consultation x hours I estimate. Then on any special projects I charge an extra fee depending on the project and how much hands on work I have to do at an additional hourly rate.
I still feel like I spend a lot of time with estimating and the only caveat is if I don’t estimate the hours properly. We all fall into this from time to time and can never be spot on as minor glitches can throw a big wrench into the mix at times also.
Eileen
@supereb | # | Top
Joan Muschamp (Fagnani) said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@supereb yes, that’s mostly what I do, although there are some project based things I do now and again.
Actually, you hit the nail on the head–I want to do a lot less time estimating.
Retainers do seem to help me keep the client focused on strategy a bit better, because they are paying me, and they seem to pay more attention. BUT, retainers often mean I wind up doing the types of things I would prefer not to, as sometimes I can’t get the outsourcing to fit in properly (right timing, rate, etc)
@joanmuschampfagnani | # | Top
Trudy Phillips said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@joanmuschampfagnani @supereb I do not do any work on retainer and never have. Most of my work is an hourly rate that may very depending on capacity to pay, and in that instance I frequently quote X hours for $x dollars. In quoting hourly, some want it packaged in a certain amount of hours for a certain amount of dollars, mostly the smaller clients. Large corporate clients do get a comprehensive proposal with the hourly rate. In that situation, I do estimate the number of hours to complete the task with a high rate. I actually do more for smaller businesses. I do like that as I like the way small projects get completed and I can also do several smaller projects a week or even in a day. I know is a bit rambling. Bottom line I stay flexible on pricing
@trudy | # | Top
Diane Bianchi said
4 months, 1 week ago:
My rate depends on the client’s needs. For some clients I do an hourly rate. others I charge by the project.
@dianebianchi | # | Top
Claudia Poeckl said
4 months, 1 week ago:
I do retainers, hourly rates and project based rates depending on the customer, the work resp the project.
@claudiapoeckl | # | Top
Kristy C. Cartier said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@joanmuschampfagnani For the couple I’ve done, I estimate the hours needed and charge hourly. Anything over that amount would be approved by the client. This should cover the unexpected issues that might pop up (client changes, research findings, etc.)
@kc_kreative | # | Top
Steve Curran said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@joanmuschampfagnani I have tried different compensation arrangements over the years and here is what I finally settled on:-I never start working beyond a presentation without a signed agreement.
-Client is billed ahead each month. -One time “set-up” fee. I always have some sort of work that has to be done by myself or by a vendor before I start a project and I bill that up front.-If there is a way to track an increase in sales or profit for my client, I will add a performance bonus.
I always over deliver on every project.
Steve
@stevecurran | # | Top