Do away with fancy cars
Chaney says Aware Environmental made a conscious decision not to spend their earnings hiring sales reps or buying fancy company cars. He says too many businesses invest in things that aren’t necessary. “We just decided we could do without them in the beginning, and haven’t needed them since.”
Do you really need to pay for printing?
Chaney still prints Aware Environmental’s company letterhead from a laser printer rather than having office stationery printed to keep costs down. “Laser printers are so good these days that I bet no one would ever guess.”
Fancy glossy brochures are also a waste of money in his opinion, with a professional website a far better investment.
Chaney is also investigating the possibility of redirecting his marketing budget into social media, which will save costs. This will be run in-house, offering further cost savings.
ServiceSeeking.com.au Price Guide for Business Services report found:
Brand specialist
Average hourly rate – $77.18
Highest hourly rate- $150.00
Lowest hourly rate – $22.00
Average quoted price – $1,093.00
Advertising sales
Average hourly rate – $68.55
Highest hourly rate- $250.00
Lowest hourly rate – $17.00
Average quoted price – $9,453.00
Internet marketing specialist
Average hourly rate – $58.60
Highest hourly rate – $125.00
Lowest hourly rate – $20.00
Average quoted price – $668.00
Advertising copywriter
Average hourly rate – $60.00
Highest hourly rate – $90.00
Lowest hourly rate – $40.00
Average quoted price – $320.00
Graphic designer
Average hourly rate – $57.57
Highest hourly rate – $350.00
Lowest hourly rate – $15.00
Average quoted price – $360.00
Commercial printing
Average hourly rate – $47.88
Highest hourly rate – $120.00
Lowest hourly rate – $30.00
Average quoted price $699.00
IT technical support
Average hourly rate – $79.65
Highest hourly rate – $165.00
Lowest hourly rate – $15.00
Average quoted price – $994.00
Web developer
Average hourly rate – $59.68
Highest hourly rate – $500.00
Lowest hourly rate – $15.00
Average quoted price – $1,605.00
Bookkeeping
Average hourly rate – $38.17
Highest hourly rate – $66.00
Lowest hourly rate – $22.00
Average quoted price – $396.00
Tax returns and advice
Average hourly rate – $93.40
Highest hourly rate – $450.00
Lowest hourly rate – $20.00
Average quoted price – $528.00
Average prices quoted between October 2007 and March 2010 – ServiceSeeking.com.au.