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Topic: Food and bev PR
| Author | Message |
| Foreigner | Posted – 6/18/2007 2:31:16 PM | show profile I'm representing a company that wants me to launch a product over the next year, including assisting with trade show publicity and ongoing writing and pitching of releases to trade and consumer pubs, along with the occasional pitching to TV. I'm gradually mapping out a strategy for the year, but being a relative novice, am still unsure how to bill the company for these varied tasks. Do PR people who are solo practitioners overseeing a mix of tasks for a client tend to quote a flat monthly rate that covers the hours you think you'll need to spend in an "average" month, and bill extra for trade shows if you attend them, or if the preparation of materials for a particular trade show is time-consuming? When PR agents prepare a strategy and a quote for a client, are you billing the client for the time it took to prepare the strategy? Is it like a law firm, where you keep track of calls etc. for your client, so they know how you're spending the time and so you can demonstrate your value to the client? Also - and I doubt I'll have much luck asking this one - can any solo practitioners with just a year or two of experience give me an idea of how much you charge the client as an hourly or monthly rate? As I'm new to the game, I undercharged on some services recently, but the services ended up being very effective and the client was happy, so I'm wondering if I should increase my market rate (for a new and an existing client). |
| PR Consulting | Posted – 6/21/2007 9:06:52 AM | show profile | email poster Foreigner ? I typically quote by the project or on a retainer basis. It sounds like you are looking at a monthly retainer arrangement which can work if expectations are clear up front. Make sure you define exactly what is included and what is not, for example trade show support will be billed in addition to the retainer. I?ve been on both sides of a retainer agreement, both as a client and as a freelancer, and often times someone feels like they are being taken advantage of. Client isn?t sure what is being done with the hours they are paying for or the freelancer feels like they are consistently spending more hours than the retainer covers. Make sure to track all hours ? including strategy work and calls on the client?s behalf ? and provide a monthly re-cap of activity to help your client see what they are paying for. As for rates, it varies depending on location, scope of work (strategic versus implementation), length of relationship, etc. Are you the same Foreigner I have seen post on the Chicago forum? If yes, I can tell you I?ve seen Chicago rates for PR professionals anywhere from $50 - $125+ an hour. Some people discount their rates for a retainer client since they are assured of an ongoing project. If you?d like more input, feel free to email me. PR |
| Foreigner | Posted – 6/21/2007 12:25:41 PM | show profile Thanks PR Consulting. I just emailed you. |
