Solo PR Pro - Latest Comments

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:49:50 -0000

Stay strong, Davina -- you're worth every penny!

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:49:15 -0000

I like the way you think, Susan!

Re: Solo PR Pros Make the PR Industry Stronger

Kellye Crane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:47:48 -0000

Many of the most savvy and experienced PR professionals in the industry are Solo PR Pros (some heralded, some not -- all amazing!). Thanks to you and everyone in the community for always being willing to share your wisdom.

Re: Solo PR Pros Make the PR Industry Stronger

Robinskann — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:06:19 -0000

Thanks for bringing #solopr to everyone's attention. How many years of experience do you think there is total in a #solopr group chat on Wednesdays?

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

davinabrewer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:05:35 -0000

I think I own royalties on the "work/billable hour difference." Now add in all the social marketing, reputation management, online presence and engagement - we do a lot of work that's not billable. I still am a great value vs a large agency, but it does not mean that all the same work and expenses come cheap. Then there is also worth and value, qualitative, beyond the time. You are preaching to the choir w/ me.. and remind me to stick strong in negotiations. FWIW.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kate Robins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:03:16 -0000

Nice points, Greg. Can you expand on working up the ballpark number?

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

susan hart — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:39:52 -0000

And another thing: any "fee" attached to my institutional knowledge, professional in-the-trenches expertise, reliable contacts and tried-and-true experience is priceless.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

susan hart — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:37:10 -0000

Great and timely post! I almost would retitle it "Why aren't consultants fees higher?". Good stuff!

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:16:51 -0000

Preparation, research and program development should always be included in client fees, as you say Jason. You also raise a great point about travel time - it should always be taken into account when negotiating fees with the client.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:12:39 -0000

Agree with you 100%, Greg -- we shouldn't be leading with this information. Benefits/value statements are the way to get the green light to bigger projects, which you do a great job of reminding us!

Just putting this information out there for new consultants who haven't yet learned it the hard way (trying to save them some pain), and also for prospective clients who are trying to understand our rates better. Sometimes the internal point person for a solo PR pro can be resentful when they see a large invoice come across their desk -- it can be reassuring for them to realize we aren't making off like bandits!

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:06:31 -0000

Very true, John. Some clients want a set price that includes everything, and as a result the fees must reflect that. Thanks for stopping by!

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Jason Longo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:04:51 -0000

I need to take into account my preparation and follow-up, also my drive time as two hours on the road means two hours not working for other wages. Consultation on the phone is less $.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Jason Longo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:03:01 -0000

I'm planning in implementing some Skype and Google+ video consultation this year. Almost everyone has access to the technology and for those watching costs - it is less expensive.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

John Sternal — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:08 -0000

Love the post. Don't forget the thousands of dollars on the things that allow us to do our job. Everything from media databases to press clip services are absorbed by the consultant. This could easily amount to several thousands of dollars each year. Every now and then you can bill this back to the client, but I'm finding that these clients are getting harder to come by.

John Sternal
@sternalpr

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

gregwbrooks — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:54:44 -0000

I loved this post, but I also think rattling off taxes, overhead and such is defensive.

I ask prospects what they think their PR/marketing problem is costing them. And if they don't know, we work through it so they *do* know, or at least have a ballpark on the number. Really great clients have well-defined problems that are causing them pain -- there are few better ways to define the problem than to assign a big, fat dollar value to it.

Then they stop worrying about rates.

Re: How To Build A Conversation Calendar For Social Media

Kellye Crane — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:41:33 -0000

Glad you found it useful, Jane -- it's something PR pros are being tasked with more and more. Stay tuned for more on conversation calendars here on the Solo PR Pro blog!

Re: How To Build A Conversation Calendar For Social Media

Jane Boyd — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:15:55 -0000

Super helpful post. Timely for some things I am working on. Thanks.

Re: Setting Rates: A Field Guide

Krista Back — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:30:13 -0000

Love this! It was an incredibly helpful, refocusing and centering reminder Thanks!
~K

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:20:03 -0000

You're right -- I think many of our biggest fans are companies who've had the old agency bait-and-switch pulled on them. Access to senior level counsel is a key reason to work with independent consultants. If there is a team of subcontractors put in place, it's with each individual client need in mind. Thanks for weighing in!

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Kellye Crane — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:15:46 -0000

Excellent point about the benefits trade off, Debbie! An employer pays far more than salary for its employees, and hiring a consultant is usually more cost effective in the long run.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Gsideman — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:40:03 -0000

Great information. Many of the people who balk at our fees don't realize the value they receive when they work with an independent, compared to an agency, the latter which typically bills by the quarter-hour for thousands more dollars each month. With us, there's little to no chance their account will be handed to an account executive after meeting and feeling confident with a company owner. I employ interns from time-to-time to help create media lists and such, but interaction will always be with me.

Re: Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Debbie Myrick Bolduc — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:27:59 -0000

YES YES YES! I couldn't have said it better myself. I'd also like to point out that if those that balk at these fees were to compare to the cost of hiring someone they might realize our rates are more reasonable than they thought. Go ahead, pay someone for the HOURS a consultant spends keeping up on the latest in their field, not just the hours they spend on your project, don't forget about the cost of any medical benefits you provide them with, retirement plans, paid vacations, sick days and holidays plus the office space, equipment, unemployment taxes and so on.

Re: How to Charge for Social Media Services

Kellye Crane — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:35:09 -0000

Hi Kelly- the discussion of how people charge for social media services is in the downloadable transcript above (PDF).

Re: Three People You Must Read

Freelancer — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:21:20 -0000

hi Kellye,

Nice article, it is my first time to come cross some of these names, but I can see it is definitely worth reading for them.

Thanks

Re: January Lets You “Re-do”

AshleeTate — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:45:11 -0000

Heather,

Thanks so much for the advice! I actually joined right after reading your post and I'm excited to get started! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain those services.

Ashlee