How do I quote a three-month social media retainer with a commitment discount?
Put the monthly fee in the unit price and 3 months in the quantity, then choose a percentage discount as the reward for committing. The tool subtracts the discount before tax, then adds tax at the rate you enter if it applies to you. Describe the monthly deliverables in the line, and the billing schedule in the notes.
Why months as a quantity, not separate lines?
Three identical lines, ‘January’, ‘February’ and ‘March’, would stretch the table for no reason and make the monthly price harder to see. One line with a quantity of 3 says everything in a single row: the monthly fee, the number of months and the total. If the client wants six months, you change one number.
Example: a freelancer in Dubai
Monthly social media management: 3 × 2,500 = 7,500.00 AED.
Commitment discount of 5%: 375.00, leaving 7,125.00.
Tax at the rate entered (5 in this example): 356.25.
Total 7,481.25 AED.
For comparison, a single month with no commitment at the same rate comes to 2,625.00, and three separate months to 7,875.00. The client saves 393.75 dirhams by committing, a number worth mentioning in the message that goes with the quote.
The steps
- In the Quotation generator, choose AED as the currency and the language the client reads.
- In the line description, say what a month includes, such as ‘Instagram and TikTok management: 12 posts and 8 short videos a month, plus a performance report’.
- Quantity 3, and the monthly fee as the unit price.
- Under ‘Discount type’ pick ‘Percentage %’ and type 5.
- Enter a tax rate if one applies to your business, or leave it empty.
- In the notes, give the start date, the billing schedule and the cancellation terms.
The billing schedule in the notes
The quote gives one total, but a retainer is usually paid in installments. This total divides by 3 exactly: 2,493.75 a month. Say so plainly, for example ‘Billed in 3 equal monthly payments of 2,493.75 AED at the start of each month’. If your total does not split evenly, make the last payment whatever remains.
- State what happens if the client ends the arrangement before three months, since the discount rests on the commitment.
- Say what the fee does not cover: paid ad budgets, for example, go to the platform, not to you.
- Add a validity date so the client cannot start two months later at an old price.
If you want to compare discount levels, say 5% against 10%, and what each does to your monthly income before deciding, work them out first in the Discount calculator.
Common questions
Can I add a one-off setup fee?
Yes, add it as its own line with a quantity of 1. Note that the discount applies to the whole subtotal, including that line.
Does the tool set the UAE tax rate for me?
No. It calculates with the rate you enter; deciding what applies to you is for you and your accountant.
Does the tool issue the monthly invoices automatically?
No. Create each monthly invoice yourself in the invoice generator when it falls due.