Do You Want Fries With That?

There’s a fine line between offering pre-project consultancy advice and actually moving into billable hours. Some clients get this; some don’t. Some clients keep moving the goal posts; some are grateful for your advice and experience and will pay for it.

If you’re wondering how to define this line and where it’s safe to instill a cut-off point, take a look at this video and see how much of yourself and your clients you recognize. If you’re nodding your head too much at the client/customer point of view, it may be time to re-evaluate just how you define your business relationship.

Advice and helping set the stage is fine; but it doesn’t pay the bills. You were approached for a reason; don’t be afraid to stand up for that reason and set your stall out from the start. After all, if you’re being paid for your success, surely your client’s enjoying that success with you, no?


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94 Responses to Do You Want Fries With That?
  1. AllThingsM
    October 6, 2009 | 9:17 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/20tfdS

  2. AllThingsM
    October 6, 2009 | 9:17 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/20tfdS

  3. dannybrown
    October 6, 2009 | 9:49 pm

    Are you offering fries or best steak with your client projects? http://bit.ly/14LPim

  4. dannybrown
    October 6, 2009 | 9:49 pm

    Are you offering fries or best steak with your client projects? http://bit.ly/14LPim

  5. bloggingtweets
    October 6, 2009 | 9:54 pm

    New @dannybrown: Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/3E2QXP

  6. bloggingtweets
    October 6, 2009 | 9:54 pm

    New @dannybrown: Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/3E2QXP

  7. tacanderson
    October 6, 2009 | 11:05 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://ff.im/-9lRiy

  8. tacanderson
    October 6, 2009 | 11:05 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://ff.im/-9lRiy

  9. websuccessdiva
    October 6, 2009 | 11:18 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://j.mp/1QJ8eJ

  10. websuccessdiva
    October 6, 2009 | 11:18 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://j.mp/1QJ8eJ

  11. Maria Reyes-McDavis
    October 6, 2009 | 11:19 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? (http://dannybrown.me/2009...)

  12. Maria Reyes-McDavis
    October 6, 2009 | 11:19 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? (http://dannybrown.me/2009...)

  13. SMLatam
    October 6, 2009 | 11:45 pm

    RT @smmguide: Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/15MkQ2

  14. SMLatam
    October 6, 2009 | 11:45 pm

    RT @smmguide: Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/15MkQ2

  15. globalpatriot
    October 7, 2009 | 1:20 am

    So when does the billing actually start? Some serious humor from @DannyBrown – http://tinyurl.com/ybhbull

  16. globalpatriot
    October 7, 2009 | 1:20 am

    So when does the billing actually start? Some serious humor from @DannyBrown – http://tinyurl.com/ybhbull

  17. Matt Clark
    October 6, 2009 | 9:23 pm

    Too funny… you've obviously bugged my phone and listened to some of my clients ;)

  18. Maria Reyes-McDavis
    Twitter: websuccessdiva
    October 6, 2009 | 11:20 pm

    Danny, you are so brilliant at eloquently stating something that so many need to hear, but may not know they need to hear it. Your last sentence rings so true, it's all about a mutually beneficial, successful relationship – those are the best client/provider relationships. Groooooovy!

  19. ramartijr
    October 7, 2009 | 5:34 am

    RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  20. ramartijr
    October 7, 2009 | 5:34 am

    RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  21. GlobalPatriot
    October 7, 2009 | 1:17 am

    Brilliant video…I've heard those lines of “reason” before! I'm happy to gather information on my dime, but once the quote/estimate/summary of charges is sent on it's merry way, it's time to move to the billable stage.

  22. Anonymous
    October 7, 2009 | 8:22 am

    Priceless! An important reminder not to sell ourselves short (or into slavery)!

  23. Anonymous
    October 7, 2009 | 8:22 am

    Priceless! An important reminder not to sell ourselves short (or into slavery)!

  24. SusanMazza
    October 7, 2009 | 8:25 am

    A priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX on taking a stand for your value – a must read for coaches & consultants!

  25. SusanMazza
    October 7, 2009 | 8:25 am

    A priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX on taking a stand for your value – a must read for coaches & consultants!

  26. jeannedemers
    October 7, 2009 | 8:45 am

    RT @SusanMazza: A priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX on taking a stand for ur value – must read for coaches & consultants!

  27. jeannedemers
    October 7, 2009 | 8:45 am

    RT @SusanMazza: A priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX on taking a stand for ur value – must read for coaches & consultants!

  28. timjahn
    October 7, 2009 | 10:01 am

    Where do you draw the line between free advice and billable advice? @DannyBrown ponders: http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  29. timjahn
    October 7, 2009 | 10:01 am

    Where do you draw the line between free advice and billable advice? @DannyBrown ponders: http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  30. bpmkt
    October 7, 2009 | 10:14 am

    @MichaelLibbie Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  31. bpmkt
    October 7, 2009 | 10:14 am

    @MichaelLibbie Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  32. InsightAdv
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  33. InsightAdv
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  34. RuralLifeRadio
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  35. MichaelLibbie
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  36. RuralLifeRadio
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  37. MichaelLibbie
    October 7, 2009 | 10:29 am

    RT @bpmkt Check out this video…I am sure you can relate from a company helping out clients. from Danny Brown http://bit.ly/UzHhX

  38. Anonymous
    October 7, 2009 | 10:35 am

    Never again shall we short-change our value and experience. Loved it!! Thanks.

  39. Anonymous
    October 7, 2009 | 10:35 am

    Never again shall we short-change our value and experience. Loved it!! Thanks.

  40. feistywoman
    October 7, 2009 | 10:54 am

    Priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX -Take a stand for Ur value: RT @SusanMazza

  41. feistywoman
    October 7, 2009 | 10:54 am

    Priceless post from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/UzHhX -Take a stand for Ur value: RT @SusanMazza

  42. SusanMontgomery
    October 7, 2009 | 11:33 am

    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  43. SusanMontgomery
    October 7, 2009 | 11:33 am

    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  44. TransitionalTee
    October 7, 2009 | 12:16 pm

    . @DannyBrown makes a great point re: client relationships in his latest post, Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/bnKuY

  45. TransitionalTee
    October 7, 2009 | 12:16 pm

    . @DannyBrown makes a great point re: client relationships in his latest post, Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/bnKuY

  46. wchingya
    October 7, 2009 | 1:13 pm

    Do you Want Fries WIth That? by @DannyBrown ~ http://bit.ly/UzHhX –gotto check this one out!

  47. wchingya
    October 7, 2009 | 1:13 pm

    Do you Want Fries WIth That? by @DannyBrown ~ http://bit.ly/UzHhX –gotto check this one out!

  48. SusanMazza
    October 7, 2009 | 8:22 am

    Priceless! An important reminder not to sell ourselves short (or into slavery)!

  49. bentpics
    October 7, 2009 | 1:36 pm

    Anyone who makes a living off their brain should watch this.
    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  50. bentpics
    October 7, 2009 | 1:36 pm

    Anyone who makes a living off their brain should watch this.
    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  51. blogbrevity
    October 7, 2009 | 1:56 pm

    Must see–> Do You Want Fries with That? from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/2HUnKG Is this your client-vendor relationship?

  52. blogbrevity
    October 7, 2009 | 1:56 pm

    Must see–> Do You Want Fries with That? from @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/2HUnKG Is this your client-vendor relationship?

  53. Arcadia1
    October 7, 2009 | 2:27 pm

    Consultant? MUST SEE!! RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  54. Arcadia1
    October 7, 2009 | 2:27 pm

    Consultant? MUST SEE!! RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  55. richeoh
    October 7, 2009 | 10:35 am

    Never again shall we short-change our value and experience. Loved it!! Thanks.

  56. Jimconnolly
    October 7, 2009 | 4:24 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/VWRB5 [More quality from PR legend, Danny Brown]

  57. Jimconnolly
    October 7, 2009 | 4:24 pm

    Do You Want Fries With That? http://bit.ly/VWRB5 [More quality from PR legend, Danny Brown]

  58. johnhaydon
    October 7, 2009 | 6:14 pm

    @dannybrown – Love the video in "Do You Want Fries With That?" ( http://bit.ly/P2iew ) :-D

  59. johnhaydon
    October 7, 2009 | 6:14 pm

    @dannybrown – Love the video in "Do You Want Fries With That?" ( http://bit.ly/P2iew ) :-D

  60. igobydoc
    October 7, 2009 | 7:43 pm

    I love this video… have not seen it in a while, and it was nice to see again.

    And seeing this today and your comments made me re-think a few things.

    Love your last line… “After all, if you’re being paid for your success, surely your client’s enjoying that success with you, no?”

    Thanks Danny!

    Doc

  61. igobydoc
    October 7, 2009 | 7:43 pm

    I love this video… have not seen it in a while, and it was nice to see again.

    And seeing this today and your comments made me re-think a few things.

    Love your last line… “After all, if you’re being paid for your success, surely your client’s enjoying that success with you, no?”

    Thanks Danny!

    Doc

  62. igobydoc
    Twitter: igobydoc
    October 7, 2009 | 7:43 pm

    I love this video… have not seen it in a while, and it was nice to see again.

    And seeing this today and your comments made me re-think a few things.

    Love your last line… “After all, if you’re being paid for your success, surely your client’s enjoying that success with you, no?”

    Thanks Danny!

    Doc

  63. Danny Brown
    October 7, 2009 | 11:08 pm

    I think that's often something that's forgotten, Darin. We often sell ourselves short because we don't want to put the client off by price. Yet ours is a small percentage of where our joint success can often take a company – we need to be more aware of that.

  64. Danny Brown
    October 7, 2009 | 11:15 pm

    Thanks Maria, groovily kind of you! :)

    I agree – work in partnerships and move away from the whole vendor/buyer mentality, it's amazing what can be done.

  65. cmcalpine
    October 8, 2009 | 2:03 pm

    There’s a fine line between offering pre-project advice and actually moving into billable hours. http://bit.ly/UzHhX Vintage @DannyBrown

  66. cmcalpine
    October 8, 2009 | 2:03 pm

    There’s a fine line between offering pre-project advice and actually moving into billable hours. http://bit.ly/UzHhX Vintage @DannyBrown

  67. Judy Dunn
    Twitter: CatsEyeWriter
    October 8, 2009 | 12:24 pm

    Hadn't seen this, Danny Hysterical and scary at the same time.

    I might add a few lines of dialogue for the diner in the restaurant:

    “You know, I don't have a lot of money right now. But if you stick with me, help me out now (say, give me, oh, 10-12 free dinners), when I'm doing better, I'll come back and pay you for meals. What do you say?”

    Been there? I certainly have.

  68. 77AgencyMilan
    October 13, 2009 | 12:40 pm

    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  69. 77AgencyMilan
    October 13, 2009 | 12:40 pm

    RT @tweetmeme Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  70. NeonBlueWS
    October 13, 2009 | 2:40 pm

    RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  71. NeonBlueWS
    October 13, 2009 | 2:40 pm

    RT @DannyBrown Do You Want Fries With That? | danny brown http://bit.ly/VWRB5

  72. Ask_Karen
    October 19, 2009 | 7:58 pm

    RT @CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. from danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  73. Ask_Karen
    October 19, 2009 | 7:58 pm

    RT @CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. from danny brown http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  74. RickRake
    October 19, 2009 | 8:06 pm

    Simply hilarious: RT@CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  75. RickRake
    October 19, 2009 | 8:06 pm

    Simply hilarious: RT@CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  76. RickRake
    October 19, 2009 | 8:06 pm

    Simply hilarious: RT @CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  77. RickRake
    October 19, 2009 | 8:06 pm

    Simply hilarious: RT @CompassCoaching Funny but relevant video for anyone dealing with cheapskate clients. http://retwt.me/Ek9B

  78. chipmadsen
    October 27, 2009 | 9:46 am

    Where have I heard EVERYTHING in this video before—oh yeah, some of my clients.

  79. chipmadsen
    October 27, 2009 | 9:46 am

    Where have I heard EVERYTHING in this video before—oh yeah, some of my clients.

  80. chipmadsen
    October 27, 2009 | 9:46 am

    Where have I heard EVERYTHING in this video before—oh yeah, some of my clients.

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