Step 1: Find Time Saved
Ask the client one question:
“How many hours per week will this automation save you?”
Example:
10 hours per week
Step 2: Pick Hourly Value
Use any one of these:
- Employee hourly cost
- Agency billing rate
- Founder’s time value
Example:
$30 per hour
Step 3: Monthly Value
Monthly Value = Hours Saved × Hourly Rate × 4
Example:
10 × $30 × 4 = $1,200/month
Step 4: Price the Automation
Charge 20%–30% of yearly value.
Your Price = Monthly Value × 12 × 0.25
Example:
$1,200 × 12 × 0.25 = $3,600
✅ That’s your one-time automation fee
Optional (Highly Recommended): Monthly Maintenance
Maintenance = Monthly Value × 10%
Example:
$1,200 × 0.10 = $120/month
One-Line Shortcut (Use This on Calls)
Hours Saved × Hourly Rate × 12
Then charge 20–30% of that number.
How to Say It to Clients
“I price automations based on money saved, not how long it took me.”
That’s it.