How to charge for online consulting — step-by-step guide
Short answer: To charge for online consulting you need four things — a fixed price, a card payment method (Stripe), a scheduling system, and a page where clients land. The fastest route is a platform like Kreer that already includes all four in a single URL.
The mistake most consultants make
Most consultants start out charging via bank transfer or PayPal after coordinating over WhatsApp. The typical flow: DM → "tell me about your situation" → negotiated price → wait for the transfer → confirm the session. Every sale takes 2–5 days and depends on the client not cooling off along the way.
The problem isn't the consulting — it's the process. A professional system turns the same conversation into 5 minutes with immediate payment.
The 4 components of a professional charging system
How to price your consulting
The right price isn't the lowest one you can stomach — it's the highest one the client perceives as fair given the outcome they expect. A simple formula:
- How much is solving the problem worth to the client? If your audit can identify $3,000/month in wasted ad spend, your $200 session is cheap.
- How much time do you invest? 45 min of session + 15 min of prep = 1 hour. At $200 that's $200/hour.
- How many sessions can you run per week? 8 sessions × $200 = $1,600/week extra.
Typical range by niche:
| Niche | Price per 45–60 min session |
|---|---|
| Meta Ads / Google Ads | $150–$400 USD |
| AI and automation | $200–$500 USD |
| Career coaching | $97–$300 USD |
| Personal finance | $97–$250 USD |
| B2B sales / outbound | $200–$500 USD |
| SEO and content | $150–$350 USD |
Why you should always charge before the session
Pre-payment does three things: it filters out people who aren't ready to act, it eliminates no-shows (whoever paid shows up), and it protects you from non-payment. Consultants who charge afterward lose an average of 15–25% of sessions to last-minute cancellations or clients who "forgot."
Options for building your system
| Option | Setup | Monthly cost | Friction for the client |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kreer | Hours | $0 (14% per sale) | Minimal — everything on one page |
| Calendly + Stripe manual | 2–3 days | $10–$20/month | Medium — two platforms |
| TidyCal + Stripe | 1–2 days | $0 + $29 one-time | Medium — no public profile |
| Own website + plugins | Weeks | $50–$200/month | High — constant maintenance |
| WhatsApp + bank transfer | 0 | $0 | High — manual process, doesn't scale |
How to get started with Kreer
- Apply at kreer.app/apply with your area and experience
- Team review within ~48 hours
- Set up
kreer.app/your-name, your services, and your prices - Share your URL — clients pay by card and schedule themselves
A real example of this charging system in action: Samuel Rozo's Meta Ads Audit, $197, charged upfront before every session.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for a 1-hour consultation?
The most common range is $97–$500 USD. Start in the mid-low range for your niche and raise it as your slots fill up. Avoid charging less than $97 — cheap sessions aren't sustainable and attract bad clients.
How do I get paid if I'm in another country?
Stripe deposits into bank accounts in 46+ countries. If your country isn't supported, you can use Stripe Atlas, Wise Business, or a platform like Kreer that handles payment collection for you and sorts out the payout method.
Do I need to invoice to charge for consulting?
It depends on your country. In many cases you can start as an individual and formalize invoicing once volume justifies it. Check with a local accountant — but don't let that stop you from starting.
How do I get my first clients?
Your first 3–5 clients almost always come from your direct network. Post on LinkedIn or Instagram about what you do, offer an intro session at a reduced price to the first few people, and ask for testimonials. Once you have 2–3 real testimonials, your profile starts closing on its own.