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Old 09-19-2010
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Default Display rates on website or not?
I have a dilemma about whether or not I should have my transcription rates shown on my website.

Currently I don't and potential clients call me for a quote which I follow up with an email.

But I'm wondering if the fact there are no rates displayed may put people off calling?

Help please!
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Old 09-19-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
This is matter of personal choice. I have my rates displayed and I'm sure for some potential clients it turns them off, but if it does I also know they are clients I wouldn't want to work with as I'd consider them "price shoppers" more so that "valued clients".

You could always do a test to see what happens when you do have your rates on your site. Something I have noticed though is that transcription sites often have their pricing listed, so I don't know if that's just a common thing to do among transcription businesses or not, but it is something I've noticed.
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Old 09-19-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Like Renee says - it is definitely a personal choice - so all I can tell you is my story. I struggled with that for a long time and so at one point I decided I would put price on my site. But every single conversation I would have with a prospect involved them worrying about price.

Every conversation had me feeling like - wow - there is no way I'm ever going to be able to tell them what value I bring because as soon as I would tell them what I charge the conversation was basically over. You could see they checked out and I ended up feeling so devalued and it actually was kinda hurtful.

I follow this one lady's teachings and I consider her a mentor, and I have learned a great deal from her. Based on her teaching I began to think...hmmm...ut:if I keep having these reactions then there must be another way. I recalled that she said the one who talks price first, loses!

So I began to think about that and I also realized that having the prices on my website was the same thing as telling people up front when I talk to them. Epiphany!! Just like I had been learning on other fronts, I finally took it seriously and realized I needed to show people value over price.

I got to thinking - if I am able to get a business to the next level by freeing up their capacity to do more of the things that develop their business - then it is hard to put a price tag on that.

It could be that by my taking 4 hours of client followup a week allows a person to prepare and speak at a conference where they may get 50 new contacts and 2 new clients...then hard to put a full tangible value on that. Sure...they'll get a monetary value from the new clients, that is likely far above what they paid me for 4 hours of work - but the resulting value could be that out of those 50 people they may derive value in so many other ways. Maybe someone can solve a problem for them, may someone will become a client later, or maybe those 50 people turn into 250 through referrals.

Now - I have to say that if you look at my website you won't see this implemented in full - yet. I'm still a work in progress. However, and again this is just me - this whole concept has hit home so hard that I'm revamping a lot. But - I have already seen instant results. When people ask me how much I charge and I basically say, "Well, everybody's situation and needs are different, so what I do is provide a complimentary consultation and really learn about what is affecting people the most, and I then create custom packages that are guaranteed to make people see how the value I can bring can propel their business forward - thereby increasing their overall revenue."

Hope this is helpful. I need to stop writing books when I post.
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Old 09-19-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Yes, that's why I didn't have prices shown - I'm confident if I can get the client on the phone I can sell them the benefits so price won't be an issue..... BUT transcription companies do, as a general trend, have their prices shown.

SO I've put my rates up (it's a clickable PDF link) so people can see them if they want and will see how it goes, I'll report back!!

Thanks for your replies
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Old 09-20-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Originally Posted by bridiej View Post
SO I've put my rates up (it's a clickable PDF link) so people can see them if they want and will see how it goes, I'll report back!!

This is what I'm going to do - provide a link to get my fees as you are, but with one difference: they have to signup and give me a valid email address, name, and business name to get it. I'll be cultivating a mailing list of PC's for use in the future.
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Old 09-20-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Interesting idea, I like it.......
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Old 09-20-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
When deciding whether or not to put rates on my site, I looked at it from my point of view when I'm a prospective buyer/client. When I'm looking on the internet for a service or product, if there's no price easily found, I go somewhere else. Doesn't mean I won't come back, but if I find the same or similar product somewhere else at a price I'm comfortable with I'll take that over the site that doesn't show the price and I have to take extra time to call or e-mail, maybe have to leave a message, etc. My home page quickly tells how I can help them and then I have links to pricing, etc.

Just my little 2 cents!
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Old 09-20-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
I did include my rates (and some packages) on my site. However I put a range for the rates so that PC can see that there are some options to the packages. I do this because they know what they are working with before contacting me. If they are not able or willing to pay that rate then they move on, saving me on consultation time and them on wasted energy.

Most PC's have a budget in mind or at the very least what they can afford and no amount of selling on my part is going to change that number. This also weeds out the tire kickers and looking for free advise only people.
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Old 09-20-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Although it is definitely your personal choice to display the rates or not, I have learned from almost everyone that putting your rates on your website is a must. If people balk at my prices or try to negotiate them down, they are not for me. I believe I am worth my rate and the client will benefit tenfold from my support. So it is a win/win situation. Even just starting out and wanting the business very badly (as my husband is the only income right now) I will not take on clients who will balk or try to negotiate down.
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Old 09-21-2010
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Default Re: Display rates on website or not?
Putting rates on a website is something I struggled with. Wasn't sure whether I should only because I didn't want to turn off a client without first discussing the benefits, however, I like the idea of linking to a rates page or even downloading a PDF.
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