Church Consulting Survey

[sempei13]

As I start consulting, I'd love some feedback about how interested people are and what they think is a fair price. I'm not really looking for leads (so I think this is kosher, but as always trust Phil and Dan w/ their call). I'm just looking for answers to four quick questions here.

Thanks for your time. My heart is just to be a helpful resource.

Paul

[cmchamp]

All I can say is best of luck.
I do the same thing up here in South-Central MI, but haven't had a paying client in almost 3 years.
I hate to say it, but over the years and in general, local churches have been my worst clients.

[hoosierdraft]

I'd agree with Cory. Best of luck with this venture.

[sempei13]

cmchamp,

If you haven't had a paying client in 3 years, how do you survive? I've got other ideas, but my first client of this type wants to know cost, so I thought I'd do some research.

Paul

[cmchamp]

I'm a part time music teacher as well as sing professionally (ministry based) approximately 100 dates a year, sell and install audio/video/lighting gear and do acoustical consulting as well as worship team training.
There's been enough turnover in my area in pastoral leadership, I need to send out new informational flyers.

[Esoteric]

Yeah, I do very little of that type of work as well. Too many free resources out there.

Mike

[sempei13]

I just wrote a blog post here: TrinityDigitalMedia.com about my other ideas. This thread doesn't have to be one about giving me advice, but I'll take any I'm given.

Paul

[sempei13]

BTW, thanks to the 16 that have taken my little survey. It helps.

Paul

[Brad Weber]

The first thing that I wondered is what you actually plan to do. "Consulting" is such a nebulous and potentially comprehensive term that it could mean many things that represent a wide range of approaches, fees, resources and so on.

[sempei13]

Good question. I'm a videographer, and web guy. My experience in a rapidly growing church (from 150-3500) enable me to answer questions concerning integration of technology into churches. I know many churches don't know the steps to take to record services, to do imag, to podcast, to open an internet campus, to open a second video campus, to send video to various tvs in their own building, to control tvs from a central location, to ease production so that volunteers aren't burdened with unnecessary work. I can help with any of those b/c I've lived all those transitions.

I've worked in the industry for the last 10 years in educational, church, secular and broadcast settings. More than anything, I want the gospel to go out clearly and with force, unimpeded by technical challenges.

I want to teach classes, speak, write, podcast, and generally share what I've learned for the many churches that it can be helpful for. Is that more clear? If not, I want to be more clear; let me know.

Paul

[tdangelo]

I can understand the desire to be compensated for your time. I think it's important to decide now with prayer if this will be a business to you or a ministry.

If a business than determine (as others suggested) if there is a market, what your resources are, what your costs (if any) are, who the competition is and what are their resources and price-points and what the potential longevity of the business model will be. Your rate structure will be determined relative to all the factors above.

If a ministry, I would suggest that none of the above really matters. Put your willingness to be used as a resource before God and he will bring you clientele.

I have worked in the secular radio, corporate A/V and television industries for thirty years. I have been fortunate to have a good reputation and industry recognition including an Emmy award as Outstanding Director. Yet, I had very little ministry-related clientele until I asked God to use my gifts for Him. I am still working in the secular broadcast business but now have many national and local ministries that contact me. It's really a miracle. I hope this encourages you to put it before God.

[sempei13]

I've been praying about this for 27 years. I have a friend that thinks we could make a great business out of doing web work and social media consulting for local businesses. The thought is amazing to me, but it sounds wrong for me.

I have to be about giving my life away. I just do. I don't know why, but I've always felt this way. I'm doing this now because I feel called and it feels like the right time (when everything is coming together in ways I can't make happen).

I'm scared, but excited about the future.

Paul