I'm not in love with any scheme that causes you to resist quoting prices your clients will understand. They want to know how much the project will cost. Tell them how much you think it will cost.<p>There is a huge premium to be captured by consultants simply by <i>eliminating the appearance of uncertainty</i>. Clients pay extra for <i>perceived determinism</i>.
Really good post, I'd just like to add one more piece of advice:<p>Don't over-extend yourself. When your paycheck is directly proportional to the amount of work you put in, it is very easy (and indeed tempting) to take on more work than you can comfortably handle.<p>Avoid the temptation. You are no good to your clients if you're always tired.