Client wants to pay me $7000 - need advice.
- Thread starter Maja92
- Start date
artizhay
BANNED
- Nov 21, 2010
- 1,867
- 1,340
You guys need to stop suggesting he take the money then stop doing the work later on or start slacking off. First of all, seeing as the client gave a deadline, they probably do things very formally and will require a contract. Your suggestions will cause a breach of contract, regardless of whether or not the $7k was the right choice.
Secondly, promising work and then tapering it off later on is just a horrible business practice and could hurt him down the road. I have no idea why such a thing would be suggested. I would never do business with someone performing or suggesting poor practices.
Secondly, promising work and then tapering it off later on is just a horrible business practice and could hurt him down the road. I have no idea why such a thing would be suggested. I would never do business with someone performing or suggesting poor practices.
I know someone who took the money under terms like this. 4 years later he is still working on the project.
The best thing you can do with the client is to define the amount of time they can contact you because to everyone else's point, after 2 years if it still takes 100 hours a month to work on their campaign it's a total loss.
Also if the client changes their mind after paying you and they ask for their money back, remind them that your normal monthly fee is $1k a month and you will prorate them back any refund at that rate. It's easy to burn up the $7k that way vs. the $300 you are charging and you won't end up owing them anything.
I always hope for the best and expect the worst in situations like this.
The best thing you can do with the client is to define the amount of time they can contact you because to everyone else's point, after 2 years if it still takes 100 hours a month to work on their campaign it's a total loss.
Also if the client changes their mind after paying you and they ask for their money back, remind them that your normal monthly fee is $1k a month and you will prorate them back any refund at that rate. It's easy to burn up the $7k that way vs. the $300 you are charging and you won't end up owing them anything.
I always hope for the best and expect the worst in situations like this.
A ridiculous offer. But a client is a client.
You need to sit down with them and talk through the implications of a lifetime fee. E.g., what happens if this SEO company closes down (quote failure rates of small businesses)? What kind of service would you expect with that kind of deal? Would any credible company offer a lifetime fee in SEO? Break a lifetime fee down into an hourly rate and question how that's possible - e.g., is this competitor just outsourcing everything to the Philippines? Is that something this dentist can afford to risk?
Then after questioning the credibility of this, talk through how you are solving their problem currently and why your company is better. Then get a big fat commitment (like a 12-month contract).
You need to sit down with them and talk through the implications of a lifetime fee. E.g., what happens if this SEO company closes down (quote failure rates of small businesses)? What kind of service would you expect with that kind of deal? Would any credible company offer a lifetime fee in SEO? Break a lifetime fee down into an hourly rate and question how that's possible - e.g., is this competitor just outsourcing everything to the Philippines? Is that something this dentist can afford to risk?
Then after questioning the credibility of this, talk through how you are solving their problem currently and why your company is better. Then get a big fat commitment (like a 12-month contract).
zoomsixx
Senior Member
- Apr 29, 2010
- 898
- 470
I would pass. You could take the 7k, but what happens in 5-6 years when you are still doing their SEO? You could always take the money and run later but that isn't very ethical. I would find out their true reason they want to go this route then go from there.
- Oct 17, 2008
- 1,638
- 780
I'd take it on the proviso that he can expect $280 worth of SEO each and every year - no more, no less. This represents 4% of his investment - just stick it in a term deposit or something to earn more interest than this and you're ahead.
No doubt this idiot doesn't really want a 'lifetime' worth of SEO.
No doubt this idiot doesn't really want a 'lifetime' worth of SEO.
christianbed
Elite Member
- Aug 17, 2011
- 1,588
- 1,012
FWIW, I tend to agree with those who say 'work out a 3-5 yr deal'...explain it to them in terms of discount, show them that the other company cannot possibly guarantee 'life', and that if you signed such a deal it would expose them to a huge risk, because they would have no way of controlling the quality of their SEO provider...for all they know, you or your comp could just take the $, work on the site for a year, then forget about it or go out of business.
The time value of money equation tells us that $7k in your pocket now is worth a whole lot more than that same $7k paid out over 3-5yrs...so yeah, it makes sense to go even 5yrs if it is an easy site to rank...sell it to the dentist that they are not only getting a HUGE discount by signing this deal with you, but that they are locking in TODAY'S prices. The guy is a professional, and you want to show him that you're taking this seriously, protecting his welfare, and offering him a great deal at the same time.
The point is to take that $7k and scale YOUR business now...you can do a lot more with $7k today than you can with $300/m spread out over years. Nonetheless, don't be afraid to walk away...and make sure he knows that you are doing it for moral principles...he'll respect you for being a pro rather than a hustler.
The time value of money equation tells us that $7k in your pocket now is worth a whole lot more than that same $7k paid out over 3-5yrs...so yeah, it makes sense to go even 5yrs if it is an easy site to rank...sell it to the dentist that they are not only getting a HUGE discount by signing this deal with you, but that they are locking in TODAY'S prices. The guy is a professional, and you want to show him that you're taking this seriously, protecting his welfare, and offering him a great deal at the same time.
The point is to take that $7k and scale YOUR business now...you can do a lot more with $7k today than you can with $300/m spread out over years. Nonetheless, don't be afraid to walk away...and make sure he knows that you are doing it for moral principles...he'll respect you for being a pro rather than a hustler.
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BlackhatBigfoot
Regular Member
- Mar 27, 2011
- 244
- 169
Do you already have a service contract?
Take my advice and don't be influenced to leave your usual bsiness practice. Tell your client that he will be throwing his money away with anyone who promises such a service but don't be pressured into doing something you will regret in a short time.
7000 is about 5 months service for my bigger clients.
Take my advice and don't be influenced to leave your usual bsiness practice. Tell your client that he will be throwing his money away with anyone who promises such a service but don't be pressured into doing something you will regret in a short time.
7000 is about 5 months service for my bigger clients.
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KarmaPolice
Registered Member
- Sep 24, 2011
- 89
- 17
Take the offer,
If you cant do the SEO
option B kicks in
Freelance it for 1000
????
6000 Profit
If you cant do the SEO
option B kicks in
Freelance it for 1000
????
6000 Profit
sneakparty
Registered Member
- Dec 6, 2010
- 55
- 25
I believe it depends on the client and their reputation. I would make the client a counter offer by agreeing to the terms under the condition that he refers at least 3 more clients. Being a local business owner is like being in a club, especially where the health industry is concerned. I'm sure he'd be glad to set you up in return. Otherwise the offer is certainly in your clients favor.
Take the offer,
If you cant do the SEO
option B kicks in
Freelance it for 1000
????
6000 Profit
Have you even read the thread?
How do you outsource it for a lifetime for $1000?
OP - No deal. But as others have mentioned you should work out a long term contract so they know how much it will cost them for the next few years.
bertbaby: LOL, i would say dentist is 45 years old. FYI everyone: the dentists' wife is his "office manager", so it seems like she's pulling most of strings since in most of our meetings so far its her speaking on his behalf...
assphuck: the wife a.k.a "office manager" yes i would say she is.
BlackhatBigfoot: nope, no service contract yet
Very interesting advice so far, especially the 3 - 5 years deal.
assphuck: the wife a.k.a "office manager" yes i would say she is.
BlackhatBigfoot: nope, no service contract yet
Very interesting advice so far, especially the 3 - 5 years deal.
I'd say no and drop them....let them come crawling back to you. if you take the 7k they will be the biggest pain your arse and constantly riding you.
What are they going to do... the other company cannot take them on as a client.
If you do take the deal then basically you and the other seo company will be in a ranking war with no money to buy ammunition.
I would nt even offer them the dignity of even a 3 years for the price of two. Best thing I ever learnt was that some jobs you have to say no to.
Personally I'd spend that oh so generous 10 days thinking time to build a dentist review site for their area, sell ad space to all their rivals and then on the 28th tell them you have decided no and will not be renewing their present contract either.
What are they going to do... the other company cannot take them on as a client.
If you do take the deal then basically you and the other seo company will be in a ranking war with no money to buy ammunition.
I would nt even offer them the dignity of even a 3 years for the price of two. Best thing I ever learnt was that some jobs you have to say no to.
Personally I'd spend that oh so generous 10 days thinking time to build a dentist review site for their area, sell ad space to all their rivals and then on the 28th tell them you have decided no and will not be renewing their present contract either.
transam7410
Power Member
- Apr 22, 2008
- 517
- 270
Shoot me his info I'll build up his site so good he won't ever get off the first page.
