What do you do when a prospective client tells you they can’t afford you? You have three options:
(1) Help them to see the light
Many clients who say they can’t afford you have the money, they just don’t want to spend it. Others can borrow the money, liquidate a retirement account, sell something, or otherwise find the money to pay you and they will do that, but only if they want to.
Point out the greater expense and/or dire consequences that may arise if they don’t hire you, or the immense benefits they will get if they do. Help them to see that hiring you isn’t an expense, it is an investment in their better future.
You can also show them that while you may be more expensive than other lawyers, you’re worth it. You have more experience, offer something others don’t offer, and provide more value and better “customer service†than other lawyers.
Most of this can be done before you speak to them, that is, via articles and posts on your website and in your marketing documents.
(2) Offer to “work with themâ€
That is, suggest that they hire you for part of the work today and the rest at a later date. You can make things more attractive for them by allowing them to “lock in†the fee they would have paid had they hired you for everything at once. You can also allow them to use a credit card or other financing options.
(3) Let them go
Tell them, in essence, “I’m sorry, let me know when things change for you”. When they want what you offer enough, they’ll find a way to pay for it. Stay in touch with them and remind them that you can still help them.
You can also offer to refer them to another attorney who charges less, which often helps them to decide that no, they really want you.
What you shouldn’t do is cut your fee.
Quoting fees (and getting them) starts with an unshakeable belief in the value of what you do. You can’t possibly expect clients to see this value if you don’t see it yourself.
Remember, there will always be people who can’t afford you and people who can. Target those who can and you won’t have to worry about the ones who can’t.
How to quote fees, invoice properly, and get paid. Go here
