[fat0wl]

Heh right on I actually thought of that flexibility / throw them a bone bit after I already posted. I think that's the abstract bit, is that these things need to be negotiated in real-time for it to make any sense. If you find you're doing too much work or it's something that requires a lot of specialized knowledge, you need to get that level of pay while having it make sense to the client. I know some people try to whine that this amorphous rate idea is sketchy but then I hear stories about freelancers & small web ventures trying to do psychotic shit like quoting 2k/month for "site maintenace" or getting a 5k contract for "SEO". I deliver MUCH better quality of service to my clients than these "professionals" who are trying to set up bunk service contracts as sources of recurring income. The reality is you need to have your client's trust. I do the best work I can & if I feel I deserve extra for a job and can justify it, by all means I say so and negotiate it. And I do something similar to your lawyer in that I don't bill for email/communications unless we have time blocked for a longer meeting, so it's hard for the client to ever feel as if they've overpaid. 15 minutes on the phone every day or so on the job I let slide. Then I log most of my hours by task. What I want is to deliver them value so they can succeed and give me more work. Most clients can appreciate that.

Man I like your attitude larrys. Business really is an art, & I think my role model is kindof like "Better Call Saul" but without the illegal activities. He starts off as a sketchy, unlikable guy but then you notice that his clients are always satisfied and they are all well-paid. :D

It seems much easier to reach that type of relationship by doing some high-velocity business rather than dragging the process down &, as you said, letting everyone dwell too much on $$ signs.