New Client Best Practices

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Old 01-16-2010
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Default Prospective clients requesting price list
I understant that often times when clients request a price list, it can be a bit overwhelming because all the client see is the price. Does anyone use this time to market there business? If yes, how?

In other words what is your response when client request a price list.
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Old 01-16-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
Hi,

I have never had anyone ask me for a price list. It almost sounds like selling products instead of services lol

But, I would imagine that there are some aspects of our work that we would not include in our hourly rate. For instance, some can save a lot of money with us by purchasing a website package instead of paying by the hour.

So, I guess I have a price list, but I have never thought of it as a price list lol

I would love to hear others opinions on price lists.

Great topic,
Andrea
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Old 01-16-2010
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Question Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
Hi,

A lot of VAs have pricing on their website. Some don't, but most do. As for a list, I'm not sure what you mean. Some VAs offer different categories of services & charge different rates for those categories. Is that what you're asking? For example:

$X per hour for admin
$Y per hour for bookkeeping
$Z per hour for web work

Is this what you mean by a price list?

Lezly
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Old 01-16-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
This is a tricky area in sales. When I was in real estate and the market was booming people always wanted to know what commission we charged because they wanted to go with the lowest commission. My standard answer was "we have commissions ranging from 2.5% to 6%. This was enough to get my foot in the door so that I could get the appointment. Once there I could explain the advantages and disadvantages of a larger commission vs. a smaller one.
It is really about what you feel comfortable with, but I put the price calculator from here and put it up on my website so that I'm not having to fight for what I feel I am worth. The other thing I considered when doing so was if someone is really in a position to afford my services then they won't flinch at the price. The services we provide are not only worth the cost, but still manage to save clients money.
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Old 01-16-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
I don't have a specific price list myself and I offer a standard rate for my services. I am in the process of building some packaged one off services (social media set-up, monthly social media monitoring etc), but I would just suggest that you let them know dependent of the service your rate is or your rates range from XX to XX. Using something along the lines of what Serita did while working in Real Estate....
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
I would be interested to hear of what others are using as a pricelist too.
At the moment I was only considered offering a standard hourly rate however for larger projects I'd quote per job.
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
Great question and great answers! I posted service cost on my website, but they still need a little more revising.
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
I have a 'rate sheet' that gives my hourly rate as well as the discount schedule for retainer clients. When a client asks about price this is what I offer to send them.
I used to send my value packages sheet but just made the decision to re-examine my value packages. I was a little surprised to realize I was losing quite a bit of money by offering some of them.
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
I too provide a range with the explanation that my services are specific to the needs of the client and will be determined by the scope and complexity of the tasks or project.
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Prospective clients requesting price list
Hi

When someone asks for my price sheet, I'll often send them my complete proposal which includes my price sheet in there. It just has a cover letter, sample proposal of what I can do, bulleted list, bio, price sheet, and one page of testimonials. I've never had anyone object, but I do think it helps.

Hope this helps!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
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