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The real problem with consulting right now is that it's so freaking lucrative that the opportunity costs for building long-term recurring revenue projects like

The real problem with consulting right now is that it's so freaking lucrative that the opportunity costs for building long-term recurring revenue projects like AR are not insignificant. It's just much more of a gamble, and I too often fall prey to the allure of the large check in the next six weeks, rather than the hundreds of small checks over the next six years, even though the small checks may eventually add up to dwarf the large check. Well, hopefully, but that's the gamble.

larrys 14y ago
"The real problem with consulting right now is that it's so freaking lucrative" I suggest for anyone doing consulting or building an app that they build into the price a monthly maintenance fee as a residual. We have an app that was written for us about 6 years ago (+-$65000) and we pay $6000 per year just to have the developer make minor changes and answer emails quickly. Very little work on his part but it gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling. (He originally asked for $1000/month). We'll probably negotiate this down when we get around to it. "hundreds of small checks over the next six years, even though the small checks" Hundreds of small checks are also "forced savings". You can't spend them before you receive them. You tend to keep your finances inline this way.
- ryanwaggoner 14y ago
  I love this idea...I have a long list of clients who email me occasionally for little updates and enhancements. I should definitely include some kind of retainer arrangement for ongoing maintenance and updates.
- adrianhoward 14y ago
  I suggest for anyone doing consulting or building an app that they build into the price a monthly maintenance fee as a residual I do this on many non-coding consulting gigs - and I know other folk do too. More because walking in then walking away means that clients often don't get the full benefit (since they fall back into old habits or have questions) so they need some ongoing support. Unless you get successful improvements you don't get the referrals - so it's not just about getting extra money on an ongoing basis ;-) So, for example, an engagement might look like * 5 days onsite * four weeks of being available one day a week remotely/onsite during set hours * N weeks of some number of remote hours / onsite visits depending on client/location.

larrys 14y ago

"The real problem with consulting right now is that it's so freaking lucrative" I suggest for anyone doing consulting or building an app that they build into the price a monthly maintenance fee as a residual. We have an app that was written for us about 6 years ago (+-$65000) and we pay $6000 per year just to have the developer make minor changes and answer emails quickly. Very little work on his part but it gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling. (He originally asked for $1000/month). We'll probably negotiate this down when we get around to it. "hundreds of small checks over the next six years, even though the small checks" Hundreds of small checks are also "forced savings". You can't spend them before you receive them. You tend to keep your finances inline this way.

ryanwaggoner 14y ago
I love this idea...I have a long list of clients who email me occasionally for little updates and enhancements. I should definitely include some kind of retainer arrangement for ongoing maintenance and updates.
adrianhoward 14y ago
I suggest for anyone doing consulting or building an app that they build into the price a monthly maintenance fee as a residual I do this on many non-coding consulting gigs - and I know other folk do too. More because walking in then walking away means that clients often don't get the full benefit (since they fall back into old habits or have questions) so they need some ongoing support. Unless you get successful improvements you don't get the referrals - so it's not just about getting extra money on an ongoing basis ;-) So, for example, an engagement might look like * 5 days onsite * four weeks of being available one day a week remotely/onsite during set hours * N weeks of some number of remote hours / onsite visits depending on client/location.