Listen "Setting Expectations with guest Ben Manley"
Episode Synopsis
The benefits of offering a productized service.
In this episode of Ditching Hourly I'm joined by guest Ben Manley. Ben is the founder of Knapsack, a web design firm that offers an laser focused productized service that allows his team to deliver beautiful websites to their clients in one day.
Ben shares his background and explains in detail how he went from a generalist design freelancer who would do anything from Photoshop comps to theater sets, to running a highly specialized web design firm that generates incredible word-of-mouth referrals.
As a past client of Ben's, I can tell you from experience that his process is stellar and delivers a huge amount of value in a very short time.
Talking Points
Transitioning from hourly billing to project based prices
The benefits of specializing
The importance of having a healthy margin
Designing with the client over your shoulder
How to ask for good design feedback
Capitalizing on a platform specialization
Preventing scope creep on fixed price services
Related Links
Knapsack
The site Ben build for Jonathan (password is 'mobile')
StoryBrand
Breaking the Time Barrier by Mike McDerment and Donald Cowper
----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
More episodes of the podcast Ditching Hourly
Alex M H Smith - Understanding Value
09/12/2025
Eleanor Mayrhofer - Productized Web Design
21/10/2025
Diane Whiddon - Branding in the Age of AI
16/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.