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Community Q & A
Question: When You’re a Threat
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Wow, look at all the great responses already.
I was leaning towards the “capacity” argument (while they’ve told me they want more of me, they haven’t shown initiative to start that process, and I haven’t pushed it, so it means other clients and work are filling up 2023).
I don’t think I can refer anyone (while there are lots of Power BI developers out there, every project I’m on I usually hack together something no one else has done, and no one designs like me… jeez, I sound so full of myself).
The alternative is to anticipate all the mental health cost on future projects and build that into my cost (I wouldn’t itemize this on the contract in those words though), but we’ll see.
Thanks Ann.
Live and learn…. I’m thankful that put a lot of detail into the deliverables in the contract, as they’re asking for things we didn’t include and I can now say “sure… we can talk about adding that”.
Thanks for your experience with a retainer.
I’m leaning towards a similar model where there’s a monthly fee to “retain” me and a certain amount of my time every month, but that actual work would be on top of that. I’m hesitant to do hours though, as I do like project-based pricing. The work will likely be “troubleshooting” work as the organization implements what I’ve taught them how to do in Power BI… so if I do set an hourly, I’ll make it high as it’ll be highly “active” (ie. solving problems or teaching them how to solve it on a call”, and then if it’s not easily solvable, let them know what it’ll cost for me to research and teach them a fix.
Pricing update: the client above where I doubled my cost (and they accepted) has been even more complicated than I expected, and I really should have quadrupled my cost.
They want me for future phases of this project (which we haven’t negotiated yet) but you bet your ass I’ll be asking for a lot more, not only because the phases are a lot more involved, but now I have some knowledge about how they operate. If I choose to work with them again, they’ll be paying more for the privilege of me. 🙂
Question: I’m starting to talk about a long-term retainer with a client, and am wondering if anyone has experience with this. With some googling I’ve found a model where a recurring fee happens (monthly?) that gives them access to me if they need me for troubleshooting, but then extra $$ depending on the troubleshooting. I’m thinking a cap on the time would be good too (to not take away from other clients).
That’s awesome Sarah! You are a great networker. Yes, I’m looking forward to going through all the modules again now that I have some clients under my belt and have some more perspective on where I see all this going.
Awesome to see so many “re-uppers” 🙂
I’m looking forward to the Office Hours this year too. I watched a lot of the recordings last year, but want the live versions this year.
Continuing the side-hustle in 2023… but a small bit of self-promo last year (holding a workshop at a conference) has made 2023 already super busy. I’ve had to reach out to potential clients with “book me soon, or lose me until 2024” . It’s a good problem to have.
I’m thinking more and more about when to ditch my long-time legacy gig and go 100% on ME.
I’m in Karen. 🙂
I feel great about 2022… started off my side-gig consulting in ’22 and things are already picking up steam for 2023.
I only made a few Office Hours last year, and definitely want to attend more this year.
I also have a collaboration idea and have been thinking of running it by you.
Raise your prices for 2023 everyone! You’re worth it!
Just had a call with a potential 2023 client, and because my 2022 clients didn’t blink at my prices, I raised them 25% for 2023 and the potential client didn’t blink at the amount either.
I don’t know if this is a Victory (probably?) but my 2023 is filling up so much on this side-gig and I’m thinking more and more of when to leave the day job.
Also… because of how busy 2023 is looking already, I’ve started emailing people who have reached out to me casually about future work and let them know they should book me soon (and for the latter half of 2023) if they need me.
I was also upfront with my Pricing with a client who is interested as well (yes, higher than my 2022 Pricing).. if it’s not a good fit on that front (or timing), I’d rather not spend the time dancing with them if it’s not going anywhere.
It was great meeting you Sarah! (and everyone else).
You’re a natural networker.
Agree with your points above… get those testimonials. They’ll help you identify what great things really resonate with your past (and future) clients!
I’m all signed up for Hot Seat. 🙂
Just in the past couple of days I’ve thought of questions about 1) client relations, 2) building email lists, 3) unique pricing requests.
They’re questions for Stephanie, but everyone else as well. Let’s share what we find is working.
I’m intrigued Sarah.
I mean, you *can* pull data feeds into Power BI and build reports (I’m playing around with one that will track NHL teams across a season based on this concept).
Is that what you mean?
(thanks for subscribing, by the way!)
Yeah, that’s basically it Karen. All these sites basically update you when there’s new content.
Like, if you punch in cnn.com into feedly, it’ll ask if you want to subscribe to CNN, and then it’ll give you a feed of all the new articles there.