comments

This is helpful information - thanks for the clear outline.

You raise many good points, Molly. I find that clients who cannot afford my fee will ask if I can be flexible, and then I can consider that on a case-by-case basis. That's better for me than leaving it up to people's psychological vagaries - as those will come into play with a sliding scale as much as economic need.

Money brings up so much stuff for people that is outside what your service is worth and what people can afford. Also, with a sliding scale many people will automatically pay at the low end regardless of their life circumstances. That's just how some people are. I know business people who do have a sliding scale, and then wonder what's up when clients paying at the low end drive up in the new Lexus or tell them about their trip to Europe or vacation home. Conversely, when I go to restaurants with friends, I find that the people who tip most generously often have the least money (and have often been waitresses themselves).

So as you say, a set fee is asking for a meeting in a mature place.

I've been finding these events and meetings with my accountability partner extremely useful for setting and accomplishing business goals. Thank you, Kiomi.

This group is great! Since the last meeting I've been much more on track with business management tasks and am finding working with my accountability partner very supportive. Thanks, Kiomi!

This looks great. I think the confusion about location is that the map make it look like Tacoma, or at least not like Seattle. What is the nearest cross street to Elliot?

I'll try you out; I've been wanting a new style.

hey sterling, is it a fast or slow walk? my dog is into slow, with lots of sniffing. as she weighs 115#, i kinda have to do what she wants!

Looking forward to it!

Yes, Mikelann is awesome, I heard her speak at Bizjam. She has a workbook on setting and raising your rates that I'm sure you can order from her website - it covers many things that should go into deciding how to set your fee.

I think the main thing is not to spring an immediate increase on existing clients; as Nancy noted, let them know that you have already raised your rates for new clients but out of appreciation for existing clients you will give them your old rate for a certain period of time.

I don't think you have to worry about your office partner charging a lower rate. Clients choose practitioners for many reasons; those whose only concern in that choice is a dollar figure are often not the best clients. I'd rather someone choose me for my experience, my skill set, my level of education....those are clients more likely to value what I do.

oh, i'd love to come to this.... and my dog too.... but i'll be on a plane to san jose...

host another one please!!

The four elements make me think of the Native American medicine wheel, the four directions, embodiment in nature... Something about our walk through life in this world.... Earth Walk?

I quite like the Elemental Wellness part of your latest name, but the Arcania part doesn't say anything to me personally. What does it mean to you?

you have to guess which one is me.... should be easy if you read my profile!

Anne