What dollar amount do you set for your time?

Over the past several months I have been approached by individuals to discuss things such as ways they can attract new customers, should they be advertising to questions about setting up blogs to market their own companies. I have been happy to meet with these people and share ideas and stories and brainstorm with them to find solutions. What has been the cost? While in most cases a drink, lunch or quick stop at Tim Hortons. In a few cases a barter relationship was set up, exchanging of service such as a landscaping project I needed completed or some free products. Hmmm, beer.

Last week I was asked to work with a client to develop a blog and help with a lunch of a new service they are looking to do. At the end of the meeting the simple yet hard to answer question was asked, "Before we meet again, can come up with a number you want to work with me on this on an hourly basis?"

How do I assign a monetary amount to what my thoughts are worth? Well you could always look at what your employer is paying you on an hourly basis as a starting point, but that does not reflect properly. An employer paying you a set wage has invested in you based on full time employment where as a consulting job is short term. Do you double, triple that number to come up with your consulting rate?

A few factors I have decided to work into the equation are:

Potential Revenue Generated by client
Size of clients current business
Level of stress/heavy lifting
Potential for repeat work

Does A + B = $, or do you take C x D = $, is their a secret formula I am missing? I will be thinking about this over the weekend, but welcome your ideas and thoughts.

Blog Networks

YesterdayI got an interesting request from Mark Buckshon about Blog Networks and an application that allows you to promote your blog on Facebook and attract new readers and also become a reader of others.

Te program requires you to have 10 confirmations from readers that you are the author of the blog and so far I have two. I will be reviewing the application more over the nextfew days, bu I suggest you check it out and some of the reviews it has recieved.

Blog Networks Facebook Application

November 2008 Issue of the GTA Construction Report

November 2008 NHBA Structures

November 2008 Ontario Construction Report

12 Days until the Nominations are closed

Only 12 more days to nominate your company, a clients or an industry peer for our second annual Ontario Construction Report Readers Choice Awards. Best of all you don't need to spend a cent of money -- investing a few minutes of your time -- to create positive publicity for your business, your clients, and/or your suppliers.

The Ontario Construction Report Readers' Choice Awards provides recognition for construction businesses which attract the greatest number of votes from readers of Ottawa Construction News, The GTA Construction Report, and Northern Ontario Construction News. The recognition begins with the nomination process -- you can put your own company's name forward, or (in a relationship-building initiative) nominate your favorite suppliers and/or clients.

The companies you nominate can be big or small, widely recognized or not, as long as they are in Ontario. There is no fee to be nominated, and no cost to enter or vote for finalists.To participate, just click HERE and enter your favorite businesses in one or more of these categories (you can select how many categories you wish to enter).

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Outstanding Construction Supplier Award
Best Equipment Rental Provider
Outstanding Architect
Best All-Around General Contractor
Best Residential Contractor
Most Effective Construction Labour Agency
Outstanding Sub trade
Green Project of the Year
Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Development
Best All Around Construction Project of the Year
Best Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer
Outstanding Provider of Professional Services to the Construction Industry
Most Innovative Green Product of the Year
Owner or Developer of the Year

You can submit nominations to as many or as few categories as you wish. If you wish, you can also add your own comments. We will publicize the list of nominees in the January and February issues of Ontario Construction Report (including Ottawa Construction News, The GTA Construction Report or Northern Ontario Construction News) and invite readers to select their favourites. Winners will be recognized in the March 2008 edition.

November Publishers Viewpoint

This November I will be attending the Wood WORKS! Awards Gala at the Toronto Congress Centre on Wednesday November 12th followed by the Wood Solutions Fair Thursday November 13th. This is our first year as a sponsor of the event and with the importance the Wood Industry plays in Green Building and LEED certification it makes sense for us to be there and meet the leaders of these companies and find out about there innovative products.

Sponsorship of events like this allow me to showcase our paper and ensure our coverage reaches new readers while at the same time ensuring we are covering a wide range of interesting topics. My goal is to be able to meet new people and lean about their business and see if there is a fit to eventually to work together through advertising or feature articles. Come check out our booth #401 at the Toronto Congress Centre and enter our draw to win a free feature article on your company.

Towards the end of the month I will be attending the Barrie Construction Association Annual General meeting which is also being held as part of their Christmas Dance at the Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club. I am always impressed when I visit Barrie based on the members and the energy of the association, there exists a true sense of community there. Barrie in 2009 is where I will continue to look to expand our news coverage and highlighting some of the great projects they have under construction.

Last up for me in November will be a few committee meetings with the Niagara Construction Association for Public Relations and Membership. I enjoy volunteering with the association on this level sharing ideas on how to make it stronger and getting to know other members. Some of the things we will be tackling are the Christmas Food Drive, Annual General Meeting for 2009 and the launch of the Awards program recognizing the contributions of it members. I am hoping to expand my involvement with all associations I work with currently and not only report the news from the associations but also be part of it.

The Wood Solutions Fairs focuses on wood products and their use in construction. Suppliers and technical experts are on hand to answer your questions about wood. You will be able to apply "on the job" what you've learned from the seminars and the information you will take with you. For more information or to sign up visit http://www.wood-works.org/ for more details.

Chase is the Director of Client Services for the Construction News and Report Group as well as the Associate Publisher for the GTA Construction Report and Structures, the Niagara Home Builders Association Newspaper. If you have any recommendations or suggestions on changes you would like to suggest for the papers please contact him toll free at 1-888-432-3555 ext 211 or email him chasemarketing@sympatico.ca