Without fail, the question comes up: “What kind of budget are you working with?”
In my corporate marketing position, more often than not I am asked the “B” question when interviewing agencies. And it’s always very casual, as if I won’t notice.
Wouldn’t it be better if the agency listened to clients’ needs to understand dynamics and work up a solution to win the business? That’s why customers call them and take an hour of their time to meet.
Budgets adjust. Project scopes change. It’s rare the proposal that finishes as it began.
Do you charge by the hour? Are you billing by the project? Do your clients know where the money goes that they pay for your services?
If you can’t show them, consider starting soon.
The creative talent pool is growing. There are lots of smart people ready to take on the work. Fee structures and offerings can stand on their merits.
Clients pay for expertise and project delivery — not the ability to map a proposal to the “B” word.
