But do you mention your trip-design retainer before or after the first discovery call? I’m finding a $350 bespoke planning fee filters tire‑kickers, but I never want to dim the sense of possibility in that initial 15‑minute call — how are you positioning it so high‑touch clients feel indulged, not processed?
I mention it at the end of the ‘15-minute’ call as a next step, not a gate — , leading with money kills the vibe for me. I mirror their wish list, then say, “If this sounds right, I’ll send a design agreement and a $350 design retainer that’s credited to the booking,” and follow with a one-pager of deliverables (timeline, two route options, concierge holds) so it feels like they’re buying a process. Tiny tweak: if it’s a quick weekend or a repeat client, I waive or reduce it; have you tried framing yours as a credit rather than a fee?
I frame it as a “design deposit” and send a one-page recap within an hour of the 15‑minute call outlining exactly what $350 unlocks — two routed concepts, 72‑hour courtesy holds, and a WhatsApp concierge line — with the amount credited to the first booking over $5k. , “fee” language kills the vibe; would re‑naming and crediting it like this keep that sense of possibility for you?