would you call this a "retainer"?

powerdog — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:19:06 GMT

I have a good, long-term client who markets new inventions developed at a university. (It's called tech transfer.) I edit the invention descriptions, maintain 2 websites for him, and produce short videos about the inventions.

The problem has been his own lack of time...he can't turn patent applications into the short descriptions I work from, so that keeps me from doing any billable work.

Now he's asked me to estimate for everything including working with the patent apps and inventors to produce the descriptions, web updates, videos, etc. Basically I'd eliminate him as the bottleneck and have to decipher some very dense jargon and legalese.

My own goal is to make the workload more predictable and balanced, instead of heavy work one month and nothing the next.
I'd like to bill him a fixed amount every quarter for a monthly package of services, which will include 1 video a month, 4 invention descriptions, web updates, etc.

Does this fit the definition of a retainer? If he's committed the
money, he'll have enough intellectual property to make good use of the services. So I thought I'd offer a discount off the total I'd charge for piece-work.

Then there's the question of what happens if he just can't use all the services he's paid for. For example, if no invention lends itself to a video, do I owe him 2 the next month, and do those unused services accrue forever? If so, I haven't gained anything.

Demanding boss

MO — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:41:29 GMT

What's the most ridiculous demand a boss has made of you?

High expenses

SteveG — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:49:11 GMT

Should i be worried about my expenses? They seem to be increasing every month

9-5 in the City

MW — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:35:03 GMT

I know working in the City was never meant to be 9-5. But how many hours a week are you working?

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would you call this a "retainer"?

Demanding boss

High expenses

9-5 in the City