[911Rob]

Hey Due,
Great post, thanks.

This concept definitely applies to many industries, including RE commission sales.

My own approach is go "top shelf"; make all the money you can. Then pick your charities.

If my fees come up I often say to my clients..... "I'll be happy to take my wallet out at the end of the deal" and I outline how certain savings in my fees can transpire; largely with their cooperation. I've found if I discount my fees at the beginning of a deal, those are the very people that make me work the hardest; more for less, so to speak.

I've done lots of deals for a personal loss, to help out the families, but I usually tell them at the end of the deal and it works best if I cut them a refund cheque and not just discount the deal. I also ask them not to tell anyone, as I like to pick my own charities and not advertise them. Nothing like handing a client a cheque for $5000 that they weren't expecting! One lady, who was a friend of ours, starting crying she was so happy.

I don't charge friends or family, but I don't advertise it either. If they call me, I do the work and at the end of the day I don't charge; then I ask them not to tell anyone. Seems to work good. The odd time I've intended on reducing my fees for a client and then they get all nasty or something and I change my mind.

Work is work.
Family is family.
Charity is charity.
Keep them separate imo.

Now when it comes to lawyers and what they charge.... well, that would be another post! Ha.

The first thing about charging great sums of money for what we do is that you have to believe you're worth it. Do the work with excellence and believe. If you want to make a million dollars per year, that's $83,000/month and almost $20,000/week; not many have the self esteem to accept that kind of money as pay for services rendered?

Hope this helps you out kind sir.