I'm currently running a business where I monitor computers for people. I use custom made software that gets by all the anti-malware scanners and through the firewalls. I have been charging $40/hr for the first hour, and $45 for each hour after that.
Since most of work may only take 1-4 hours per client I've been told that I'm charging too little. Figures have been thrown at me by friends, family and even clients that I should charge $60, $75 or even $100. What is a fair amount in this business.
Yes this involves spying on people at the workplace, churches and spouses. My first question. I've searched mefi for similar stuff and came up empty.
posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 15 answers 
I'm an IT consultant with a broad set of skills and experiences, and I need help finding my niche! [more inside]
posted on Dec 21, 2007 - 3 answers
I am currently working at a consulting firm and consider myself to be a half-decent writer. Before I apply for my MBA, I'd like to enhance my application by writing articles for business magazines. How could I do this? Do you recommend any particular publications that might be willing to take a freelancer? [more inside]
posted on Dec 12, 2007 - 8 answers
How to divide up a company amongst 3 people when 2 people will be doing most of the work for the first 6-12 months. [more inside]
posted on Sep 27, 2007 - 10 answers
My business idea...brilliant, or a waste of time? Have you, or your business, ever needed a service like this? Has any company you worked for ever employed anybody to do this? [more inside]
posted on Jul 11, 2007 - 18 answers
How do I fast track my way into consulting? [more inside]
posted on May 27, 2007 - 8 answers
I hear that sometimes businesses and other institutions hire "ethics consultants". Does anyone know anything about getting into ethics consulting or the actual day-to-day activities in ethics consulting? If not, has anyone seen an ethics consultant in action at a company? [more inside]
posted on Feb 12, 2007 - 4 answers
How can I grow my DC area computer forensic investigation business? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2006 - 10 answers
Any actual, personal experience with famous "Marketing genius", Jay Abraham? Or do you know somebody who actually used his consulting services? [more inside]
posted on Nov 25, 2005 - 7 answers
Should I bill clients for scheduled appointments they missed? [more inside]
posted on Oct 24, 2005 - 26 answers
For a friend, "I run a small computer consulting business on the side in my spare time. I have a bit over two dozen clients and do regular work for a handful of them. My question is, does it make sense to go thru the process of creating a business? What advantages or disadvantages would this give me? How much would it cost? Any other uggestions/ideas/comments/etc.. would be great! Thanks!"
posted on Sep 5, 2005 - 5 answers
My consulting business has gotten busy enough (knock on wood) to warrant not using my personal cell phone number as the first line of communication. What I need is a service that creates a local phone number, has a customizable voicemail system that can fwd to my cell, office, whereever.
Is there such a thing, or should I just get a second cell phone?
posted on Dec 6, 2004 - 10 answers
When my company discusses web design service with potential clients, they generally *always* balk and get ornery about the cost. Most of the time, we're working for small businesses, so understandably, $5-$10k is a substantial chunk of change for people to shell out. We don't get upset when we lose bids for being too expensive because we've always been taught that compromising our rate is not the solution... you simply can't meet everyone's budget. That being said, we turn away enough people who expect websites to cost $500-$1500 that I think there might be a market supportive enough to create solutions for. [come inside, won'tcha?]
posted on May 13, 2004 - 38 answers
