Exactly How I do Business and Why.

I just wrote this e-mail to a prospective client and I really think it is exactly the best way to define how I do business.

Dear Prospective Client,

You need to make an investment in your brand business. That is what every business does in the corporate world. Experts get paid for their experience from the start.

Think about it. If I wanted to hire you to get me in better shape and to eat healthier, would you give that to me, for free, based on the "possibility" that I would use your advice?

To your questions, I am "not like the others," nor are my clients. Over time and with much experience in the entertainment, communications, publishing, corporate and small business worlds, I have found it right to make my own rules and ask for what works for me. That is my approach with and for my clients. It is wise to know the history and traditions of as many business cultures as possible. This has led to my success and that of my clients.

The best example of this dynamic thinking I learned early on in my agency days. A client was being offered a job at AFTRA scale by one of the top TV syndication companies. I told the business affairs executive that I was aware of what AFTRA scale paid, but that didn't keep me for asking for more $.

Guess what? The business affairs executive was very impressed with my statement. Not only did she pay my client what I asked for, but from then on she would always tell me the amount that was the most $ allowed in the budget to pay my clients for each job we negotiated. Now that is not only favor, but a miracle in any business.

That is what I call the benefit and reward of "not being like the others."

The tradition of the entertainment, communications, publishing industry is if you already had offers in the form of a contract, in hand, then "they" would gladly take a %. That is all they do, negotiate the contract.

As for getting paid for getting jobs for you, per CA law, I can't put in a contract. So that nullifies the comment about getting paid for jobs I get you and not getting paid for jobs I don't get you. That goes beyond custom and tradition.

My contract reflects years of knowing that no one client ever is without a need of significant amount of work to be done upfront. I provide a paid service to get that client to the place that will give them their best opportunities.

The polish that you need to accomplish can be well done within the initial time of my consult for the $ I request. I can show and tell you everything you need to do, but if you don't do it, then I have been paid for services rendered.

Additionally, you will need to budget for:
1. Hair & Make-Up Artist
2. Wardrobe
3. Website programming/developing/optimizing
4. Photographer
5. Printing
6. Video
7. Supplies and tools per your expertise

After the initial polish, the % you pay me is for continued guidance and fruits of said guidance. We can design our plan together.

I look forward to speaking tomorrow.

Blessings,

Angelica