Comments on: Charging for Consulting

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:02:32 +0000

Those pesky innocent questions aren't always so innocent.

It's been a couple of years since this has happened to me, but twice that I can recall clients who hired me to write simple press releases managed to ask seemingly innocent questions in an attempt to glean advice on how and when to send the press releases, who to send them to, and how to find the contact info for those people. Um, you're paying me to write the release, not do your marketing. (One guy thought the price of a press release included me printing off and mailing out - yes mailing - the release! The fee would barely cover the paper, ink and postage.)

I'll file these strategies away for next time the situation rears its head.

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:35:23 +0000

Consulting is all new to me, so I'm just soaking in the discussion. I'm excited for your and Anne's big announcement. I know it will be great!

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:34:38 +0000

Because I ran a PR firm before writing full-time, I'm used to billing for both writing and consulting time. I don't do much client consulting anymore, but it does still happen (such as consulting on branding before I take on the copywriting for the new brand).

I charge a flat $150 per hour for consulting, except for the initial chat or email exchange for background. They receive the quote after that point, and they're billed for anything occurring after that time. That can include phone consultation, research into things like brand name or tag line suggestions, or other hourly-billed work involved in their projects.

Generally I prefer to bill on a per project basis, and that hourly rate is factored into my project rates based on past experience. But when someone needs my time beyond the scope of those project rates, I have no problem billing hourly. I've found that as long as I'm up front about the rate and the half-hour minimum, there are rarely complaints.

A good reason to consider consulting rates is the fact that they let you offer value-added services. For example, a client might not only want you to write their blog posts. They might want to hire you to spend X hours per month promoting that blog via social media outlets. If you offer those services regularly, you can come up with project rates. If not, an hourly consulting fee for add-on services can work well.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:34:14 +0000

Same here, Cathy. I had one who sent me a note that went thusly: "Take a look at the photo – what captions come to mind?"

Funny how my opnion didn't matter as much when I replied with my fee…

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:17:58 +0000

I admit I need to get better at charging for consulting fees.I tend to not charge unless the client is one of those you describe, Lori-they want to "brainstorm."

I had one client where we did all the prep work/discussions for a PowerPoint presentation and they called back and changed the targeted audience, which changed the whole direction. I told them I would charge my consulting fee for the time spent.

On the other hand, I do add in the time into my total project fee and specify in the scope of service what is included, e.g., initial one-hour consultation to discuss project - or - one-hour consultation with subject matter experts.

That usually works well. It's the client who just wants to bounce ideas off me that can become the problem.