[consulting] Retainer Plans

[Bob Morse]

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.

Brian Knoblock wrote:
> 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:
>
>   
>> 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 <josh at interactiveqa.com 
>>     
>>> wrote:
>>>       
>> On Wed, 2008-09-17 at 04:53 -0400, Michael Goldsmith wrote:
>>     
>>> 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>
>>>       
>> 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
>> http://www.interactiveqa.com
>> 917.620.4902
>>
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