I'm a rubbish consultant and rubbish at asking for money

[whoknewthat]

I'm not really after any advice really, as I know what I have to do.

But I'm rubbish at asking for money to do my job!

Had a meeting with a prospective client, had a follow up meeting today to discuss some development projects that he wants me to work on.

There was a point in the conversation when I should have said ......... and my fee is XXX

but I didn't say anything, just wound up the meeting.

I'm not sure what he thinks, he can't think I'll do it for money, or maybe he thinks it's a commission only deal. So now I have to email him and say, oh by the way, this is what I charge, which just feels very cowardly

My overriding fear is that he says, no, don't bother. Which is fine as at least it means I won't be working for nothing

I'm useless and need to grow some balls.

I'm not very good at this!
Aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhh

I'm also a bit self-conscious about talking about money with new clients - sometimes because I haven't decided what my rate is - and likewise, leave it too late in the conversation. It's easy to feel a bit apologetic about wanting to be paid!!
However, recently I've noticed that I get more interest from clients when I set a higher rate and am bold and confident about saying what it is upfront, with a take-it-or-leave-it kind of attitude than when I try to postpone talking about the issue. And none of them have said, as I have feared, that I am charging too much. A good rate of pay suggests that you are going to do a good job.
You can't be a rubbish consultant if you have work offers, so just email him confirming the details of the projects and include your pay rate as one of them.

Different job but same boat here!

When you agree (by email) to meet, pop into the message
"my day rate is £450 plus travel plus expenses"
if they then confirm to meet you they have accepted it
and you confirm the total fee with the terms of work

no nasty face to face stuff !!!

Talkinpeace, you are genius

I read something interesting recently for when clients call/mail asking for ideas/etc. , you can reply with a "I would be delighted to discuss your ideas in further detail, my hourly rate is x + VAT". This is particularly for people looking for "free" advice.

E-mail a summary of the meeting. Include designs of your fees. Simple :)

I'd go with ohbugrit suggestion!
I wouldn't charge for initial meeting where you're deciding whether to take the work and they're deciding whether to take you're service. Would be like expecting to be paid for attending a job interview. SOME rough ideas/advice will inevitably be given in that type of meeting, but you need top make sure you're not giving free detailed advice session, obv.

Generally better to discuss fees face-to-face - you'd maybe still do the work for less than initial quote, esp if is strategically useful client, but if you don't leave scope for any negotiation they might just walk away.

Agree with sending a follow up email and talking about money then. Perhaps send an outline project plan and how much it will cost ie I'll do x,y and z and that will take 5 days costing £10

You're obviously not rubbish as you're getting meetings and clients.

I'd agree with the others. I doubt he was expecting you to give him a price in the meeting....? Even if you have a day rate, you need to work out how many days etc. By coming back afterwards it looks like you have thought about it etc. I really doubt he thinks you are about to work for free!

Don't bash yourself. As Redblanket says, you are getting the meetings, which can be 75% of the way there...Freelancing/consulting is a funny ol game. You will be good/great at what you do, but who is to say that then easily translates into running a business (even if you are a sole trader, you are a business). Most people struggle with some aspect, and if they say they don't they are lying!

Not sure if you are near London, but I attended this really cheap sales course - www.sales-consultancy.com/static/Love_Your_Business%20Hate_Selling_Workshop - it was good to go and listen that other have the same probs. Leigh runs these as sort of taster products of her other stuff, but it was definately worth £62.

'designs' should obviously have been details