Travel to meet potential clients

Hi,
I'm after some advice and your thoughts on a potential client. A potential client would like to book us for four hours on their wedding day.
What's your thoughts on travel to meet potential clients? would you travel over 45mins to 1 hour away to meet someone that may book you?
At the time of their enquiry we were charging $160p/h (as we are just starting out) but have recently increased this price, we sent them an email asking if they would like to book the date as we have increased or rates. I know they live over an hour and a half away and I'm not willing to drive that distance for someone who MAY book (for only four hours), So the question goes Would you drive half way or more to meet a potential client?

Thinking of time, petrol / car costs.

Your thoughts?

Yes I would travel that far to meet them... HOWEVER my 4 hour charge is considerably more than yours.

I wouldn't go that far for a potential meeting charging what you are.

You will make compromises as you start out. One way to not undermine yourself is to charge the rates you would really like to demand, but offer a sale/coupon/discount. This way you can compromise on a case by case scenario, but later reduce those discounts to get you to your fully stated rate. Yes, if I were starting out, I would do the travel, because if I had talked with a potential client and they seemed happy at initial contact, I would rather have them as a customer than somebody out there say "oh don't get them, they didn't even want to spend the time to meet us".

I agree, but I don't drive. I'd weigh up the cost of the wedding, and the time/cost to go and meet them. An hours drive tops for free. What I've successfully done in the past is to get clients to meet me either halfway, or near my house. I use a pub nearby mine. If they really want you, they'll come to you, if they need that reassurance a face to face gives, but are maybe thinking of other possibles as well, halfway might work. If it's cheapest only, then they probably won't want to spend the gas. Most of my bookings are clinched over the phone, the meeting comes later. I get the impression you'd rather not travel on a half chance. O ly you can decide.

Drive 3 hours, consume your time and about $20 in gas and wear and tear on your car (assuming 3 hours at 60mph net speed and 25 mpg)

...for 4 hours in fees or $640 -- if you get the job. So really you are spending 7 hours and getting $620 (subtracting gas expense), netting $88 per hour.
Or else you are spending 3 hours of time and $20 in automobile expense, for nothing (if you do not get the job)

Thanks all for the advice / thoughts, We decided to go half way and meet.
Team speed your on the money, thanks.

Thanks again

I don't even go within a city to meet clients. Coming to me shows a level of interest and commitment.

We travel on average 30min to 45min to meet clients, however we live 25 minutes outside the city so thats just an every day commute for us. With that being said, face to face meetings are not all that common for us. We tend to clinch the weddings via email or phone call. Heck we had 3 weddings last summer where we never actually spoke to the couple before the wedding day, all communication via email.

It all comes down to cost for us. If someone is booking a $3000 package I would be more inclined to drive an hour or two and have a talk if thats what it takes to get their signature on my contract. Booking a small 3 hour week night event, your probably gonna need to come to me if you want a face to face.

Thanks Tim and Littlejon for your comments,
We are happy to meet as we can put a face to name and willing to travel once someone has made a deposit (which has been our way).
I agree with people coming to you for business, though we don't have a shop nor the house rental for such thing at the moment, so meeting at a location works for us. And yes if these potential clients booked or wanted us for a full day then I wouldn't hesitate to drive.
Thanks again for your thoughts

Another idea is to do a skype /virtual meeting.

I've found it's best to do in-person meetings, to make sure you get on ok with them. Over here not many people will book or do a deposit without an in-person meeting unless you have a stellar reputation and you come with a raving recommendation from someone they know.

my name is always taken wrote in post #18564104
Thanks all for the advice / thoughts, We decided to go half way and meet.
Team speed your on the money, thanks.

Thanks again

So did your willingness to drive a distance to meet result in you getting the job?

Sorry for the late reply, Yes it did. Shoot their wedding in the coming month.