consultation fee at DVinfo.net

Lalo Alvidrez · September 9th, 2011, 01:31 PM

I have a gentleman wanting to get together with me to offer some advice on getting his business going. He will be shooting some of the same types of videos I do but in a different area. I've never charged for a consultation so what is a going rate for this type of work?

Doug Bailey · September 10th, 2011, 01:37 PM

Hi Lalo,
If you have been helped by others in the past you may want to think like this:
If he is just getting started he may not have much left after paying for his equipment. Getting any new business off the ground is tough, and he will need all the help he can get.

You could consider advising free of charge and make a great friendship. Some of his new strengths and ideas will help your business grow down the road.

Unless of course your business model is that of a consultant, that's different. Then you should charge a fee.
Regards,
Doug.

Chris Hurd · September 10th, 2011, 03:39 PM

If it's just a few hours of your time, then I suggest fee = lunch. Or dinner.

Lalo Alvidrez · September 10th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Actually I wasn't going to charge anything until he said he would pay me for my time. Doug and Chris, thanks for the advice. I think lunch would be just fine and like you said make a friend and contact.

Allan Black · September 10th, 2011, 09:37 PM

Oboy the older you get the more you see, and I've seen the unseemly side of a situation exactly like this.

I say go with the flow (as posted) but keep your eyes open for any signs he might start collecting a list of your clients .. anything at all like that, even though he might be in a different area as you say.

I'm the most optimistic optimist you'll ever meet big time, but there's definately no sentiment in business. All the best :)

Cheers.

September 9th, 2011, 01:31 PM	#1
Lalo Alvidrez Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Longview, Tx. Posts: 227	consultation fee I have a gentleman wanting to get together with me to offer some advice on getting his business going. He will be shooting some of the same types of videos I do but in a different area. I've never charged for a consultation so what is a going rate for this type of work?

September 10th, 2011, 01:37 PM	#2
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	Re: consultation fee Hi Lalo, If you have been helped by others in the past you may want to think like this: If he is just getting started he may not have much left after paying for his equipment. Getting any new business off the ground is tough, and he will need all the help he can get. You could consider advising free of charge and make a great friendship. Some of his new strengths and ideas will help your business grow down the road. Unless of course your business model is that of a consultant, that's different. Then you should charge a fee. Regards, Doug.

September 10th, 2011, 03:39 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Re: consultation fee If it's just a few hours of your time, then I suggest fee = lunch. Or dinner. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 10th, 2011, 07:17 PM	#4
Lalo Alvidrez Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Longview, Tx. Posts: 227	Re: consultation fee Actually I wasn't going to charge anything until he said he would pay me for my time. Doug and Chris, thanks for the advice. I think lunch would be just fine and like you said make a friend and contact.

September 10th, 2011, 09:37 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,936	Re: consultation fee Oboy the older you get the more you see, and I've seen the unseemly side of a situation exactly like this. I say go with the flow (as posted) but keep your eyes open for any signs he might start collecting a list of your clients .. anything at all like that, even though he might be in a different area as you say. I'm the most optimistic optimist you'll ever meet big time, but there's definately no sentiment in business. All the best :) Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.