Working a set number of days per year for a client

[sheeplikessleep]

The agency I used to work for would like me to guarantee a set number of days per year for them. Sounds great to me, just 6 days a month (I only work part time) to guarantee some income each month, whilst allowing me the opportunity to do ad hoc work elsewhere. Flexibility built in - I specify the days, though they would like me to be in one day each week (this can be changed if I need it to, to fit in other work).

I work as a consultant in market research.

I just wondered if anyone else has done this? If so, what are the glitches?

I'm thinking about charging 80% of my usual daily rate. We haven't got into discussing specifics yet, but the agency and I would like to make it work. I don't want to go in cheeky offer, but I am also aware they will probably negotiate me down.

Also, does anyone know any online resources that might help me draft up an initial contract/terms? I will get a solicitor involved once things are more agreed, but anything to get things drafted up would be really helpful.

Any thoughts or advice really appreciated. Thank you very much.

[winkywinkola]

Why is it cheeky to charge your daily rate? Your daily rate isn't cheeky so charge it especially if you think they'd negotiate you down anyway.

[WorkingBling]

I do a version of this. I charge my regular rate, but because I am in the office and tend to take on specific client work On their behalf, the agency knows they get more for my daily rate than other clients. Similarly most of my other clients get charged a daily rate that I do from
Home so is strictly 7.5 hours - I am often in much longer in the agency.

So my advice would be to charge your regular rate but within the context of the reliability and consistency you bring and, most likely, the added value you being (eg responding to things outside of your six days etc).

If they are signing a contract with a long term commitment and notice period, you could then agree a 10% reduction if you felt they were pushing you.

As for legal contract, I would use the basic of a contracting contract and adapt it.

[sheeplikessleep]

Thankyou for responding.
The context is that they've been offering me a permanent role since I left 5 years ago. I think they've now realised I prefer working for myself, but want some way of guaranteeing me in.
I don't want to promise over and above my non work days (it's the stress and commitment that puts me off returning in a permanent role, as it's an industry that isn't 9-5).
Likewise, I need them to be flexible as well, that whilst I might be in, say every Wednesday, if I need to work elsewhere, I will need to go into the office on another day instead. They are happy with this flexibility to be built in.
Thankyou

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

As somebody that is just leaving their lower paid regular client contract, I'd say try to stick to your day rate. My situ is a bit different as at the time I sought a low paid 'job' which could supplement my other stuff as I built it up.

It has worked well in many ways. However, I have just found myself resenting the days when I am doing lower paid stuff as it is - frankly - getting in the way of the much better paid stuff.

You say you are part-time, how many days a month can you work? If you can work 3 days a week x 4 weeks that is 12 days a month, so half of those days will be gone. Allowing 2 for admin & business development (for your other work) that only leaves you with 4 days to do better paid work as an eg. What is your flow of other work like?

I do appreciate you will have 6 days of guaranteed work each month (and that has many benefits) but it sounds like they really want & need you....so I'd try to use that to your advantage. Whatever your day rate is I am sure you are charged out much higher to a client....

You also need to consider how you will deliver for them months where you will be on holiday. Will you always deliver their stuff at the expense of other stuff? It might be worth thinking about that? They have been the most stressful times for me.

I used a legal person via //www.peopleperhour.com for my generic (marketing) contract. As it is a year contract it could be worth having something bespoke produced.

It is easy to focus on the fact it is guaranteed money for you, thus feeling grateful and keen to offer a good rate to them.

However, you are obviously valued by them, they increase their capacity with flexible (only paid when you work, no ties like employees) support that they know is good....Try to think of it that you are giving up your highly desired (by lots of clients) time to fill their resource need - why should that be at a discount however it is very easy for me to be all brave about money when it isn't me talking to my clients!!

Good luck!

[FriendlyLadybird]

This is the holy grail of freelancing a nice, regular contract with a steady monthly income! It is of course how most consultancies work you have a yearly contract in which the client pays you for an agreed number of days per month. You still have to keep track of your time, and sometimes you'll be doing more, if there's a big project on, and sometimes less -- especially in the summer when you might be on holiday and when they might be too! There's no need to negotiate on your day rate, though. They'll make their money through a stonking great mark-up when they charge your work to clients.

[sheeplikessleep]

Thankyou so much, I really appreciate your time to post.

It's given me a lot of food for thought. To be honest, I'm just back from maternity leave and haven't had loads of work in. But I know these things take time to build back up.

How I will prioritise my time is my biggest concern. The industry is either all or none, so I anticipate working more at the agency when I'm quieter with other work. But obviously they will need me when they are busy (although I think they've had a very successful year so very busy). The two won't necessarily neatly fit together!

Again, thankyou for your thoughts.