You're a fundraising consultant. How do you make sure you're charging the right amount?

1 Assess your experience and expertise

The first step is to evaluate your own skills, qualifications, and track record in fundraising. How many years of experience do you have? What kind of projects have you worked on? What results have you achieved? What certifications or credentials do you have? How do you compare to other consultants in your niche and market? These factors will help you establish your baseline rate and justify it to your clients.

3 Consider the scope and complexity of the project

The third step is to consider the scope and complexity of the project that you're bidding for or negotiating. How long will it take? How much work will it involve? How challenging will it be? How much impact will it have? What are the risks and uncertainties? What are the client's expectations and budget? These factors will help you estimate the time, effort, and resources that you'll need to deliver the project and charge accordingly.

5 Communicate your value and negotiate confidently

The final step is to communicate your value and negotiate confidently with your clients. You should be able to explain why you charge what you charge, how you deliver value, and what benefits they can expect from working with you. You should also be prepared to handle objections, questions, and requests for discounts or changes. You should also be flexible and open to compromise, but not to the point of undervaluing yourself or compromising your quality.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?