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How to Create a Client Pricing Package to Really Build Your Freelancing Business

Posted August 21, 2011 in Getting Clients, How-To

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Are you looking for a slick and quick way to increase your volume of new projects?

If this is you, a client pricing package just might be the way to go.

Although we’ve discussed the pros and cons of a public price list for freelancers before, a client pricing package is slightly different from simply publishing your prices online because a pricing package bundles a high volume of work or a group of related projects together.

In this post, I’ll explain what a client pricing package is and explain when you might choose to use a client pricing package to benefit your freelancing business.

What Is a Client Pricing Package?

Strictly speaking, a client pricing packages bundles a group of services together, usually at a single, discounted rate. Services bundled together may be:

• Similar in nature, such as offering single price for a group of articles

OR

• Complementary, such as offering design services and web content together

Client pricing packages are often offered for a limited time only, as part of a sales promotion. Naturally, if you go the complementary route and you cannot perform all of the work yourself, you will need to team up with another freelancer who can perform the work that you cannot do.

Many freelancers publish their pricing packages on their freelancing website.

When Do You Need a Pricing Package?

A client pricing package tends to stimulate business by encouraging clients who are “on the fence” about using your services to take advantage of the deal. So, it makes sense that you can benefit from a client pricing package if you do not have enough work.

Another scenario in which you might benefit from using a client pricing package is when you don’t have the right type of client. For example, let’s say that you wish to specialize in creating WordPress sites, but you are getting a lot of other work instead. You can craft a client pricing package to include some social media freebies (such a creating a Twitter background) for each new WordPress client.

An advantage of client pricing packages is that they can be used to encourage the long-term and repeat customer. If a client is willing to sign a contract agreeing to a large volume of work, you may wish to create a client pricing package to offer this repeat customer a discount.

Finally, a pricing package can bring new business when you team up with a freelancer who is offering services that complement your own skills. By teaming up with another freelancer, you accomplish two things:

• You double your marketing efforts since both of you will promote the client pricing package
• You make it convenient for clients who need both services since they can now order them at one time

Now, that we’ve defined what a client pricing package is, let’s look at some examples.

Some Pricing Package Examples

Are you still a little confused about how a client pricing package might help your business?

Here are some hypothetical examples of client pricing packages:

• Freelancer One–Wants more clients with large, long-term projects, so she offers a 25% discount for clients who provide her with over $5,000 worth of work. Soon, she has enough large, long-term projects to keep her busy for several months.
• Freelancer Two–Is a web designer whose business has been a little slow. He teams up with a copywriter to offer clients a turn-key package (design and content) for a set price. His clients appreciate the ability to have their design and copywriting needs met at the same time.
• Freelancer Three–Wants to break into a particular type of programming. She has taken courses, but never had a client for this type of project. In order to build up her client base for this type of work she offers a two-month discount to clients with this type of project.

While you may be ready to implement a client pricing package right now, there are some guidelines that you should consider.

Some Client Pricing Package Guidelines

A client pricing package can do wonders for your business, but if you decide to implement one you should take the following precautions:

• Be sure to state clearly what is (and is not) included in the package. Make sure that your client understands the limitations of the package that he or she has purchased.
• If your package is only available for a limited time, be sure to state the end date clearly. Use an actual date (3-15-2011) as opposed to a timeframe (two months).
• If you have teamed up with another freelancer, make sure that your agreement with them stipulates what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for.
• When you discount your services, make sure that the client knows that they are receiving a bargain. (This helps to alleviate sticker shock if your client should want to use additional services outside of the package deal.)

Your Turn

Have you ever used a client pricing package to stimulate your freelance business? How did it go?

Share your experiences in the comments.

Image by uzbeckistan

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