How much should I charge for my services?

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Jul 13th, 2012 7:37 am

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Jul 12th, 2012 9:50 am

manyapples [OP]: Sr. Member; Oct 3, 2008; 549 posts; 75 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 9:50 am

How much should I charge for my services?

So, I'm thinking of starting a side business where I do online marketing for small businesses. I have a business degree, and about 5 years of experience with online marketing, as that's what I do for my full time job.

I'm on a salary here in my full time job, so I don't know what I should charge a small business owner for my services and time. Let's say I have a client who doesn't know much about online marketing and hires me to take care of this for him/her. I then do some SEO, Adwords campaigns, social media management for them, etc.

What's all this worth???? I'm just thinking about doing some freelance stuff, but am unsure of what people would be willing to pay in a small business.

7 replies

Jul 12th, 2012 10:49 am

Rainne: Deal Addict; Jul 11, 2010; 2959 posts; 137 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 10:49 am

manyapples wrote: ↑So, I'm thinking of starting a side business where I do online marketing for small businesses. I have a business degree, and about 5 years of experience with online marketing, as that's what I do for my full time job.

I'm on a salary here in my full time job, so I don't know what I should charge a small business owner for my services and time. Let's say I have a client who doesn't know much about online marketing and hires me to take care of this for him/her. I then do some SEO, Adwords campaigns, social media management for them, etc.

What's all this worth???? I'm just thinking about doing some freelance stuff, but am unsure of what people would be willing to pay in a small business.

To be honest, because you're doing this on the side, you should individualize you pay according to the client, his/her needs/wishes and what your time is worth to perform those services.

Also, check the market rate.

Jul 12th, 2012 10:56 am

valinrace: Banned; Jun 30, 2012; 513 posts; 21 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 10:56 am

manyapples wrote: ↑So, I'm thinking of starting a side business where I do online marketing for small businesses. I have a business degree, and about 5 years of experience with online marketing, as that's what I do for my full time job.

I'm on a salary here in my full time job, so I don't know what I should charge a small business owner for my services and time. Let's say I have a client who doesn't know much about online marketing and hires me to take care of this for him/her. I then do some SEO, Adwords campaigns, social media management for them, etc.

What's all this worth???? I'm just thinking about doing some freelance stuff, but am unsure of what people would be willing to pay in a small business.

Its like 10-15$ an hour I think, but still it depends on your skill and the task you will do.

Jul 12th, 2012 11:30 am

NorthYorker: Deal Addict; Mar 29, 2006; 3615 posts; 49 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 11:30 am

valinrace wrote: ↑Its like 10-15$ an hour I think

$15 is what part-time phone girl in immigrant office gets. I'd say this is lowballing, although OP can make up the difference on charging more hours than he really spent doing the job.

I'd say the better estimate would be a honest estimate of time OP needs to spent on the project, multiplied by $25.

Jul 12th, 2012 12:16 pm

rocking23nf: Deal Guru; May 29, 2006; 10154 posts; 2731 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 12:16 pm

We get IT consulants every now and then that charge 100-150/per hour. 25$ per hour is very low to me.

Jul 12th, 2012 1:03 pm

Abel4Life: Deal Addict; Feb 5, 2010; 2764 posts; 178 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 1:03 pm

rocking23nf wrote: ↑We get IT consulants every now and then that charge 100-150/per hour. 25$ per hour is very low to me.

Then you get some from Deloitte/IBM/Oracle/SAP charging 250+ an hr (some not even worth half of that).

Jul 12th, 2012 1:13 pm

NorthYorker: Deal Addict; Mar 29, 2006; 3615 posts; 49 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2012 1:13 pm

rocking23nf wrote: ↑We get IT consulants every now and then that charge 100-150/per hour. 25$ per hour is very low to me.

What we're talking about here is a moonlighting, and he would be competing with scores of kids who truly believe that knowledge of adwords settings is all you need to succeed. Yes, the rate is low but realistic. Would he be overwhelmed with customers, he might start to charge more...

Jul 13th, 2012 7:37 am

Techgeek32: Banned; Jun 29, 2012; 607 posts; 38 upvotes; TORONTO

Jul 13th, 2012 7:37 am

You can start by low prices and when you create a good portfolio you can charge more.

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