Thinking about the cost of unpaid work, like writing proposals for clients who ghost you. It's a real business expense that's hard to quantify but definitely felt.

Business & Financial Management for Contractors
1

It’s frustrating to put in hours on proposals only to hear nothing back.

Took three hours yesterday on a detailed outline. Guess what? Crickets since then. Anyone else feel like this eats up too much of our time and energy?

2

Happens all the time. I just keep proposals short now and move on quick.

3

Factor in the time spent on proposals into your rates. I add 20% for this. It’s part of the business. Paying clients end up covering the costs of those who ghost. This approach works better than trying to charge upfront, as many clients resist that.

4

Just part of the job. Keep moving forward.

5

I charge for detailed proposals now. Basic outlines are free, but anything more costs money.

This helps me avoid tire kickers and save time on people who are unlikely to hire me.