What do we charge for our work?

Are our fees based on hourly rates?

Daily rates?

Project parameters?

Or whatever the market can bear?

The Free Birds’ pricing structures were probed and prodded at last month’s meeting by a remarkably astute guest bird.  This chick, a business consultant/coach, gave each of us (or pulled from us) specific actions that we could do to increase business and/or revenue.  From adding new services (and promoting those additional services) to contacting 20 clients that we haven’t heard from in a while, our guest bird charged us with energy and direction.  The challenge with some of our businesses is that pricing parameters are industry-established.  But that’s where we birdies need to think creatively and boldly.  Like proud peacocks, we mustn’t be afraid to acknowledge and promote the value of our talents and our experience.   We just need to reflect that confidence in our invoices.  And be big enough birds to deal with our clients’ squawking.

Some pricing sites:

AIGA’s Center for Practice Management (American Institute of Graphic Arts)

ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers)

Some humorous video commentaries on the challenges of dealing with clients:

Vendor Client Relationship

Web Designer Versus Cheap Client and a similar British version Graphic Designer Versus Client (rated X for language)

Government Procurement Fair - October 20th

* BRAC = Base Realignment and Closure = $

CONNECT WITH PRIME CONTRACTORS TO PROCURE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

On October 20th (my 2nd wedding anniversary, btw) I may be flying down the beltway to check out the Annual Baltimore/Washington Region Government Procurement Fair.

Looks like the perfect environment to flaunt my new Woman Business Owner certification.

Sponsored by the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC), this event offers:

•   One-on-one counseling sessions

•   Exhibits & Sponsors (including such big acronyms as IBM, EPA, NASA,  MVA, U of MD, etc)

•    Presentations on connecting with the Fed Government, State of MD and Prime Contractors

Unfortunately, according to  BWCC, the Pre-Procurement Fair Workshop scheduled for October 7th has been sold out, but there is a wait-list:  www.bwcc.org

Official NWBOC seal of certification.

for certification as a WBE by The National Women Business Owners Corporation.

I received the official certification that WalkeWorks LLC successfully met the requirements and is a woman-owned and woman-controlled business.  Besides a frame-ready certificate decorated with an embossed gold seal, the packet of information also contained a list of public sector websites, tips for selling to Corporate America, a marketing pamphlet from the GSA Office Enterprise Development and a partial list of government agencies and organizations accepting WBE certification.

While I can’t imagine that the City of Grand Rapids, Lansing Board of Water & Light or the State of Missouri will be requiring my services, perhaps some of the foodservice and financial companies might need some new branding and marketing.

Looks like I have some research to do now that I’m officially a woman.