Question about billing a client

I'd be up front and make sure the client knows you're happy to meet again, but since the meeting wasn't covered in your initial proposal, you'd be happy to send another invoice that includes the cost of an additional meeting.

I agree about being upfront. Just say that you did include one meeting, but not others, and the hourly rate is ___ and do they still want to proceed?

Good luck, and congrats on your first client!

Good Afternoon WenWriter,
Don't surprise your client with an extra fee without telling him about it before. Sometimes they won't want a extra meeting if there is going to be a extra fee. You want to just let him know about the fee and see if he agrees to it before the second meeting. Good Luck!

I'd be more interested in getting a second project then upping the bill.

Doug Johnson said:

I'd be more interested in getting a second project then upping the bill.

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That's a toss up. If it is a first client you might want a really good reference and one way to do it is to give the meeting for free. BUT what happens when the reference this client gives to another future client of your's says, "Oh that writer was great he even did extra work for free." It sets up a precedence of how you work as a business writer.

Does this first client even know that he's your first client? I'd say, "I'll be happy to meet with you again. But I do charge $$ so and so amount for extra meeting time." To me charging for your service only makes you look like a complete professional. I've never met a REAL writing client who did not understand that time is money. They get a paycheck for showing up and so should you. I've given time away for free sure -- to non-profits or great clients who ask for a reasonable break. But not in the beginning and not to a client I've only worked with once.

Good luck and congrats on your first client.
~ Jennifer

What Jennifer said.

Wenwriter, right now, you're in a great position. As you begin your business, now is the perfect time to set up the business model that will attract and keep the sort of clientele you'd like to deal with every day. Everything you do is part of the brand you're creating for yourself. And your price point is part of that. People naturally use pricing as a reliable first-indicator of quality and caliber.

While freelance writing does have unique aspects to it, we ignore the basic tenets of business and economics at our own peril. There are very basic laws of human nature at work as well. While everyone likes to know that they're getting the best value for their money, there's a point at which low prices and discounting serve only to signal desperation or shoddy quality. The type of clientele you can attract with that will be neither profitable nor loyal. There will always be someone with a lower price. And they're not going to be much value in the way of referral or clips either.

Lawyers bill in 6 minute blocks. You talk to one for 7 minutes and get a bill for 12 minutes. They bill you for every photocopy too.

I've found that clients are more willing to put up with that when they might get sent to prison, than when they need good writing. Your experiences may vary, but if you choose to bill by project, and you become more effecient as you learn the client's needs, you can increase your hourly rate without going back to the client and asking for a raise.

Doug Johnson said:

Your experiences may vary, but if you choose to bill by project, and you become more effecient as you learn the client's needs, you can increase your hourly rate without going back to the client and asking for a raise.

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My whole deal when working with a client is to tell them that I'll personalize this project experience and my writing skills to fit their very individualized needs. I've learned to adjust my fees for repeat clients but have found that it varies from one client to another. Because I strive to make each project truly fit individual needs the costs and prices are individualized as well. That's how I've tended to look at it. It's very hard to guess what someone you've never worked with will end up needing time wise. Or for me it is anyhow.

Interesting discussion though. I love seeing how other tech writers work -- it helps to have new perspectives.

Take care
~ Jennifer