Tag: Quotation

  • The Deal-Breaker: Why Quotes Often Fail to Materialize

    The Deal-Breaker: Why Quotes Often Fail to Materialize

    The gap between sending a quotation to provide goods or services and securing a contract can be frustrating. Many vendors wonder why their quotes are often overlooked. Common questions include whether their price was too high or if there were factors that favored other bidders.

    I’ve personally encountered cases where vendors have directly asked clients why they weren’t chosen. In many instances, clients are hesitant to provide specific reasons, often preferring to keep their decision-making process confidential. However, there are several factors that can influence a client’s choice, and it’s important to understand that these reasons shouldn’t discourage you.

    Your Worth Matters

    Before drafting your quote, have you taken some time to reflect on your value? Ensure that the figure you’ve proposed is sufficient to not only meet the anticipated costs of the project but also to secure a profit. If affirmative, you’re on the trajectory to prosperity. Remember, clients often base their decisions on the balance between cost and perceived value.

    In a competitive marketplace, it’s common for service providers to attract new clients by reducing their prices. Although this approach can be seen as a generous offer, it also sets a precedent for the client’s expectations of low rates, which they may communicate to others when recommending your services.

    It’s important to remember that repeat clients may anticipate consistent pricing or even a discount for the same services. However, this can lead to a challenging cycle that might be difficult to break from over the years.

    To protect yourself from this potential issue, it’s crucial to always be aware of your value when creating a quote. Make sure to quote appropriately and avoid the temptation to undercharge.

    Your Posture Matters

    In the business world, maintaining the correct approach is crucial for survival. It’s essential to be decisive, making choices swiftly and adhering firmly to those decisions. Following up on a job after submitting a quotation is a common practice, driven by various motivations. However, it’s important to be judicious with the frequency of follow-ups to avoid annoying potential clients.

    It’s essential to cultivate self-assurance while engaging with others. Acquiring and utilizing courteous business terminology is key. Ensure you’re well-dressed for client meetings or when presenting proposals.

    Make every interaction with the client meaningful. By doing so, you’ll earn their respect, which will be evident when you assertively communicate that discounts are not available, should they inquire.

    Surround Yourself With Good People

    In the realm of business, when I refer to commendable individuals, I’m speaking of those who know their value and refuse to accept anything less. These individuals are a scarce breed, but they’re worth the search. They are the true achievers, always staying abreast of the latest developments in their field. They are dedicated to innovation, always seeking methods to provide superior results more efficiently and economically.

    This is the reason they command a higher fee for their services compared to their counterparts. It’s also important to fulfill your own responsibilities. Don’t rely solely on them for guidance; take the initiative. Likewise, be generous and foster the development of your relationships by involving them in some of the projects you undertake.

    Conclusion

    Be assured that if your quote truly reflects your best work, then patience is your ally as you await a reply. The right clients will recognize and value your offerings. Don’t be swayed by those who question your rates—they simply don’t align with your business vision. Remember, recognizing your worth is paramount; a handful of the right clients can be enough to achieve your annual goals.

    And if you need professional Video production services, you can contact me here on my company website. Video Production is our core business and we will give you our best.

    Up until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on all social media networks @cheptionymutai

  • Custom Quotes vs. Packages: Which is Right for Your Business?

    Custom Quotes vs. Packages: Which is Right for Your Business?

    In the early days of my entrepreneurial journey, I offered predefined service bundles for weddings and events through my video production company. As a seasoned video producer, I eagerly awaited responses from potential clients after presenting them with these packages. However, I often encountered ‘crickets’(silence):-). This pattern gradually diminished when I discovered that clients preferred personalized quotes tailored to their unique requirements, leading to a shift in my approach to better accommodate their desires.

    A screenshot of sample packages

    Currently, I offer exclusively tailored service packages designed for recurring needs that share common specifications. This approach stems from my observation that potential clients within my specialty in media tend to have meticulous and discerning preferences.

    To streamline communication, I present them with a selection of pre-priced options, allowing them to make a choice that aligns with their financial plan. Should they desire additional features beyond their selected package, an extra charge will be applicable.

    This brings us to the question on which between custom quotes and service packages is right for your business? To begin with, lets first delve into why the two are necessary in any business.

    How Much Do You Charge For Your Services?

    This is a common question that service-oriented business owners get asked by potential clients a lot. If this question is new to you, you may find yourself responding without fully grasping the client’s requirements. It’s crucial to understand the underlying needs behind the inquiry to provide a satisfactory and comprehensive answer.

    Many new clients who ask this question do not really know in detail what they really want. For example, someone may specify in their request that they want drone footage incorporated into their video not knowing that this will cost them extra money.

    The first thing that you do when a client reaches out to you enquiring about the services you offer is to interrogate them properly so that you understand what they really need. Are they familiar with the service you are providing? Do they have a brief or terms of reference of what they want delivered to them?

    Once you know the type of client you are dealing with, you are able to easily decide whether to send them a custom quote or your rate card. Some clients requirements do not require rate cards, they require custom quotes.

    With this said, lets now look at the pros and cons of each item.

    Service Packages and Custom Quotes Pros and Cons

    Packages Pricing/Rate CardCustom Quotes
    Only works for some services.Works well for all the services you provide.
    Ideal for recurring events with similar deliverables e.g. wedding, photography e.t.c Popular for request with clearly outlined requirements and deliverables.
    Can save one time they could have spent preparing a quote. You are not limited on the amount you charge. You can charge whatever amount you want.
    You leave it to the client to make a choice. Only serious clients will follow up on it. Ideal for requests by companies and government entities.
    You are in control. You only deliver what you have outlined in the package. No more no less. You deliver what the client wants.
    Your rate card/ Packages may be cheaper to some clients making you to loose them. Can send different quotes to different clients based on your evaluation of their requirements.
    Needs revisions over time based on demand. It requires time to draft one and its not guaranteed your client will accept it.
    Table comparing the pros and cons of of packages and custom quotes

    In the business world, there are diverse strategies for setting service prices. Some individuals find it straightforward to provide custom quotes, tailoring prices to each client’s needs.

    Others prefer the simplicity and transparency of a fixed rate card, detailing their service fees, which suits their business model effectively. Both methods have their merits and cater to different preferences and operational styles.

    The variety of services you provide may warrant the inclusion of both options. This approach ensures that you’re well-equipped to handle any inquiries that come your way, utilizing the most suitable option for each situation. I hope you have found this article helpful.

    You can always reach out to me for a quote on video production services here. I can help you out on that line.

    Up until next time bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai.

  • 5 Factors To Consider When Preparing a Quotation

    There are many factors that comes into play when preparing a quotation. Many of the factors relies much on the amount of information you have as a contractor from your prospect.

    Insufficient information from a prospective client on the work they want done is one factor that makes the process of preparing a quote difficult. This however, should not be the case if you are dealing with online prospective client.

    photo of head bust print artwork
    Photo by meo on Pexels.com

    As a freelancer or a contractor, you have a right to ask for more information from the client. The client on the other hand must cooperate and provide you with all the necessary information in order to prepare a fair quote.

    You must be willing to withdraw from preparing a quotation the moment the client fails to furnish you with all the necessary information.

    In this blogpost, I will share 5 factors to consider preparing a quotation.

    Video: Factors to Consider When Preparing a Quotation

    Company History

    Are you sending a quote to a company that is well know or is it a startup? Irrespective of how good their contract description is, knowing if the company exist should be your first priority.

    This involves doing your own research using all the resources available out there. The research will help you cage the company’s ability to gather for the costs for the project besides making the payment on time.

    You may find out from your research that the company has good track record in paying their contractors very well.

    Time/Duration of The Contract

    Based on your prospects brief, how much time will you require in order to work on and complete the work? Is it a long term contract that stretches for more than a year? As they say time is money. Use your experience to estimate the time it will take to complete the project at hand.

    yellow and white alarm clock
    Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com

    The quotation process will be fast and easy when you have an hourly rate that you charge for different kinds of assignments. If you don’t have an hourly rate, consider setting up one. If you already have an hourly rate set, great! Next, calculate the time it will take you to complete the contract. E.g 10 days working for 5 hours daily. That will come to a total of 50 hours. Multiply this with your rate to get the cost service.

    Fees & Taxes

    Lets first start with fees. Fees varies. It can be the amount that your payment processor charges or the commission that you pay whoever referred to the contract. On the other hand, Tax is the percentage of money that is deducted from your pay to be remitted to your government as revenue.

    Taxes for services rendered online are different from the taxes levied on services rendered offline. When preparing a quotation, consider both to avoid getting into losses after completing the contract.

    Contingency Fee

    Contingency fee is a fee set aside for use in events or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. In the online marketplace, it can be the unbudgeted cost that comes in between the service delivery. e.g If it was a video production project, and the client never foresaw requiring more interviews to be conducted for the project and it happens that it has to be done within the approved budget, this is the time that you will have to reach for the contingency fee.

    However, it’s important to note that this money will be your profit if no emergency work arises at the height of your contract.

    Include Revision Fees In Your Quote

    If you offer revisions for every project that you deliver, you must set a reasonable fee to cover your time when you make revisions as needed. Make sure that you deliver the best in order to avoid being asked to make revisions on the project.

    calculator and notepad placed on usa dollars stack
    Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

    After completing the rounds of revisions that you listed in your offer, let the client know how much you expect him/her to pay for other additional revisions. Making this clear before the contract will enhance your quotation besides setting the right expectations for the client.

    These are 5 among the many other important factors one needs to consider when preparing a quotation.

    With all above factors considered, preparing a quote will take you very little time. Also, you will very confident when defending your quote.

    Conclusion

    Try as much as you can not to inquire from your peers how much they charge in order to apply the same rates in your quote. Our lifestyles and responsibilities vary. You will not learn anything when you use other peoples rates as yours.

    Come up with your own rates, and if you make losses in the process of working, you will know where to adjust. That’s how true enterprises start and grow. You learn from real life experiences.

    What factors do you consider when preparing a quotation? Please share your feedback in the comments section below.

    And if you need professional screencast video production services, you can request a free quote here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

  • Get Hired Fast Online With These Tips

    In this blogpost, I will share my top tips to guiding newbie clients wanting to hire you online for the first time and are new to the skill they want to hire you for.

    This guide is ideal for both freelancers and entrepreneurs who own and run their businesses online. Here is what you need to understand when a prospect contacts you for the first time.

    Know You Are The Authority

    brown wooden gavel on brown wooden table
    Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

    By the time the prospect reaches out to you, they have done their own research and are in the process of evaluation. They believe you have the skills they need for their project. On the other hand, they are ready to give your services a try, hoping for the best. This means that you have all the power to make it happen.

    Act like the authority the prospect expects. Listen to what they want accomplished. Most clients are very clear on what they want by the time they reach out to you. Listening is very important. This way, you will be able to collect all the necessary information to help you guide them on how to go about it and achieve the desired results.

    Ask Them Relevant Questions

    If on listening to them you don’t clearly understand their needs, ask them relevant questions.

    Wrong question : I don’t understand you well. Please explain more..

    Right Question: What do you aim to achieve with this video project (if it was a video)? You can explain more and tell them why its important to align the end goal to their requirements. Mention this is important to you as a creator. E.g Say it will help me fine tune the script well for the video.

    While asking questions, be specific. Ask the things you don’t understand. If there is information you need them to provide in order for you to complete the project, mention it.

    Watch Video

    Give Them A List of What You will Need

    person writing on a notebook
    Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

    Don’t assume the client knows what you will need. Before proceeding to discuss the budget, be clear on the requirements. List them down and have the prospect confirm what they will provide. In video production for example, script, voice over, sub tittles, video editing, video assets are the key requirements. The client might be ready to provide some of them. Prioritize this and let it come before budget so that everyone knows what they will be required to provide.

    Budget Matters

    Prospects differ. There are those who have a fixed budget for the project, and there are those who are dependent on you to give them a quote.

    In an occasion where the client is working on a fixed budget, match it with their requirements and see if their allocation is enough for the project. e.g If their budget is $500 and the cost of production is within the $500 budget, confirm to the that the allocation is enough. If the project costs is more than their budget, give them an alternative quotation with a breakdown to show them why it will cost them more.

    If they insist on you working within their budget, outline to them what they will lose in the process. e.g They will get the project completed in 15 days as opposed to 7 days.

    Let Them Willingly Commit

    person holding silver pen signing photographers signature
    Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com

    Having them to willingly commit and award you the contract is end goal of all this process. Play your part well and let them make that decision themselves without you pushing them to do so. If you are able to walk them well all through to the budget stage, you are good. They like you. Give them time to do their evaluation before they commit.

    Conclusion

    Walking a client through your workflow process is best way to market your business or skills. Be professional and do it well. Don’t underestimate a prospect. Most of those prospects you think they are not good enough may in turn be the best clients you ever met.

    I hope this blogpost was helpful to you.

    Do you think its worth guiding a new prospect on your workflow process? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    If you need professional screencast video services, you can request a free quote here.

    And until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.