MetaChat - Counter offer 101.

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10 March 2007

Counter offer 101. A small marketing firm quoted me a rate of $4k per month for a 3 month period to market my business. →[More:]

Which I promptly choked on, since if *I* was making $4k/month I wouldn't freakin' need marketing! So They called to followup after I told them I was beyond too broke to do those terms, and they said they're willing to figure out some other kind of contract terms. So I'm supposed to counter offer.

Can you guys help me figure out what to throw their way? I'm fairly clueless when it comes to marketing and demographics, and I have no problem paying for some PR help to crack some doors. I don't know what specifics are as far as how they will market me. They have not marketed specifically someone who does what I do, but they are not new to marketing. Here's my business if anyone is curious.

f there was a way to delay or spread out payment somehow, not necessarily reduce payment, I could probably handle that. So here's a few ideas I had:

1. Offer $1k up front, followed by a 20% commission to them of paying gigs landed through them.
2. Pay their hourly rate to come up with a brand/message not to exceed $1k, followed by a 20% commission on paying gigs landed through them
3. Do either of the above for a 90 day trial window.

High? Low? Crazy? Other?

post by: chewatadistance at: 18:30 | 6 comments

Jesus, that's low. We're talking american dollars right?

posted by dabitch 10 March | 19:04

I've seen your page before mate, can you email me? I got a working email in my profile.

posted by dabitch 10 March | 19:06

Hmm, a $12k commitment. They are probably looking to sell a package for no less than $10k, perhaps $9k, and they probably will want 1/3 to 1/2 down. Like most projects, the bulk of marketing costs occur up front.

Sounds to me like you need more of a speaking agent. That and your own heavy-duty networking with middle-management and executive types. From what I gleaned from your website, your services are best sold by the individual doing the presentation, much like an industry evangelist.

Have you considered a personal marketing consultant, or perhaps even an image consultant?

posted by mischief 10 March | 19:33

Pardon me for perhaps being not too creative, but if your $10K bought a ghostwriter's services, and you produced a book of your own highlighting your system for creativity management, that would seemingly have longer term benefit for your business, than recommending the works of others.

posted by paulsc 10 March | 20:54

Have you considered a personal marketing consultant, or perhaps even an image consultant?

I haven't - had no idea they existed. Where would I find these services?

paulsc, that sounds pretty creative to me. Do you mean write the book and sell it from my site? (and what's a ghostwriter?!)

posted by chewatadistance 11 March | 07:12

Nevermind I found it! :D

posted by chewatadistance 11 March | 10:31

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