Usually, I start off by telling them I'm not a rental company. I'm not opposed to working deals, but a 3 day week? I'm not sure I would go that far (notice I didn't say "never"). I certainly understand a client wanting a volume discount, and I do work with the client on costs, but on the other hand, you have to look at how busy you normally would be at the time of the shoot. Another, nameless jib O&O, once told me "Why should I give them a discount, when I can take my normal work, at my normal rate, and make more money?"

So, while remembering you are in business to make money, you have to take into account your client, your market, and your bills. I've been fortunate enough to get 5 day weeks, and sometimes 4 day weeks. I've started to approach it as a percentage discount, rather than a days per week price. This seems to make the client feel like they are getting a better deal.

As Joe said "It's easier to lower the rate than to raise it."

As for longer jobs, what would you consider a good month? I would say start from a little higher than that, leaving room to work with your client so they feel like they're getting a good deal, but in the end, you make what you need to.