First off, I typically don’t charge a client for training time. Goodness, that’s money in the bank for me! Knowledge is key and no one can take that away from me. I can use that newly learned knowledge to gain other clients, boost my reportoire of skills, and best of all the training is not costing me one cent. How many times does that happen? Sure, the training hours take time but it’s probably a small investment of time compared to the future work this client, and others, will bring to you. (Only you can answer that question for certain.)

Once a new software/system or skill is learned it can be used to market yourself to others in this chose industry that are using this specific software/system/or needed skillset. Surely, more than one individual is using this and your newly gained training may open up another avenue of potential clients.

Let’s do some quick calculations to see . . . time in training (“X” hours) x your rate versus number of projected hours of work with client x your rate. Which is the higher number? Is this time investment worth it? (Only you will know.)

These questions will get you thinking about things a bit differently the next time you’re asked if you charge for training time. In the end you need to follow your gut, weigh the Pros and Cons of things, and make the decision that is best for you. No one else needs to understand it, or agree with it. Sometimes, as business owners we need to compromise a bit to gain the money in the long term. We may bend the rules a bit but the risk and pay off can justify the means.