Financially structuring a marketing campaign?

Should I act as the middle man between client and SE, PPC, and Affiliates?

[jamison]

Some background info:
I regularly read SEO and Internet marketing websites and letters, and I consider myself to have an good "book" knowledge of Internet marketing. A client has asked me to come up with a marketing plan for her with a budget of $1000 start and up to $300/month. I will be running most of the marketing for the first year.

My question:
When I am signing up for services (such as Yahoo!, PPC, or affiliate packages) should I use my name and bank accounts? Or would it be better to use the clients?

Pros for using my own:
-Able to add markup
-Client not aware of business process
-Client loyalty?

Cons for using my own:
-Slower payment
-Chance of client defaulting

Thanks,
Jamie

[edited by: jamison at 4:12 pm (utc) on Dec. 31, 2002]

[fathom]

If the client is managing the money (that is using the clients credit card numbers, client's bank debits, or check) then the client's business name must be use (with you as the contact).

If the client gives you the budgeted money and you are a freelance consultant it is better to do this yourself. If you are an employee - you must do everything as the client.

The greatest issue here is liability - if something goes wrong who must be held accountable. If the client knows nothing of the practices implemented - making them liable would be unethical.

So if direct "client" payments are used the client must be fully aware of all decision making processes and sign-off on them.

Obviously it is alot easier to do everything yourself - but in this case - you are using your own "moneys" and then billing the client for services rendered.