mtmama - 5:46 pm on Aug 12, 2004 (gmt 0)

I always find it interesting to hear all the different perspectives on business topics in this forum.

I do agree that the clients should not pay double for the same service. I should have mentioned, or made it more clear, that these clients will be getting more services offered to them and certainly more attention than years past when I was working mainly nights and weekends.

I've always been told not to give "special" pricing to anyone. It's been my experience that the first thing a potential client asks an exisiting client is, "how much does she charge?" I don't feel comfortable asking my clients to lie or skirt the subject for me...

I'm also drawing on experience I've had with other service providers who have raised their fees in the past. I wouldn't ask my daycare provider to keep her fees the same for each child I place in her care over the course of say, 7 years. Or my electrician to charge me the same fee he charged me 2 years ago when he rewired my house.

However, this discussion has brought up another alternative I think I may consider. Maybe I could devise some sort of discount to take off the top of a new set fee? Let's say I raise my prices to double what they are now. Then I give my three existing clients a special discount off the top of that fee? Some sort of "senior client" discount or something. This way, when people ask how much I charge, the client can be truthful. They could also mention they receive a special discount, without feeling uncomfortable about it. I was already planning on offering a referal discount, so this may be a good way to go for me.

Would that be a good compromise?
Jessica