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I use a similar model, except that for the retainer fee I set a limit
on the number of hours per month. I have different levels that cover
different numbers of hours per month. Some months the client pays and
doesn't use any or all of the hours. They do not roll over to the next
month. However, the benefits to them are prioritized handling of issues
and steep discount on the normal hourly rate. I also don't invoice
them. They either use a PayPal subscription or an automatic credit
card charge each month. We both save time that way. They can cancel any
time.<br>
<br>
Brian Knoblock wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:0022052A-1D4E-43D6-9C7B-CC1C9539D2E9@lansingit.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Here is what works for ME at MOST, not all of my EXISTING clients.
Purely for example:
Client A pays me $100 a month if I spend 200 hours or Zero hours, or
even if I use Freelancers as I often do. The KEY is Time is not kept
track of, items done are.
Generally it always works out in my favor but you have to be willing
to eat hours if it turns out that you need to. ( FYI these basically
unlimited hours do NOT include starting a project from scratch, only
existing items. )
I send one invoice a month. Some want details some don't.
The Trick is figuring out what X is going to be for the month that
will be a value for you and the client.
Client B pays for its hours in 15 minute increments.
They get invoiced everyday VIA eMail PDF if there are hours to bill to
the account.
PRO's and Cons for both, but this mix works for me.
Client A is an easy sell if they are the type that needs to have
everything budgeted to the dime, they will always know their costs.
Using 15 minute increments helps ME personally not think about big or
little clients, just time.
Of course its usually not really this cut and dried but when I try to
stick to this things work out good.
BK
This mix helps me have a
On Sep 17, 2008, at 9:43 AM, Sam Cohen wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Josh -- and anyone else,
Can you share how you structured your retainer program?
My biggest stuggle now is finding time for all my smaller clients
who want changes to their sites -- I'm finding it really hard to fit
them in. I'm at the point where I have far more work than I can do
and let's face it, the big clients need to come first.
So, I've been thinking of offering smaller clients some type of
retainer program, where they buy so many hours a month. This could
also give me the steady income to potentially take on an employee or
regular freelance.
But I'm unclear how such a plan might work. for instance, if they
don't have any changes, do they pay anyway? Do hours rollover? Do
you schedule a fixed time when you're available for them.
Thanks,
Sam
On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Josh McCormack <<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:josh@interactiveqa.com">josh@interactiveqa.com</a>
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">wrote:
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap="">On Wed, 2008-09-17 at 04:53 -0400, Michael Goldsmith wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Another thing to consider, when thinking about how much a consultant
is
worth at a full time gig would be a "bulk discount" on your hours.
<snip>
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap="">We started offering a retainer plan that was really buying hours in
bulk, and it's been well received. We bill earlier, clients get a
better
rate (hours don't expire and can be used however needed), and it
establishes longer term relationships that are almost quasi employee.
-Josh McCormack
Owner, InteractiveQA
Social Network Development & QA testing
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.interactiveqa.com">http://www.interactiveqa.com</a>
917.620.4902
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