13/07/2022
"Can you do this cheaper?"
Everyone has had this said to them at some point, regardless of the industry they work in.
You know...it has to look like a Bentley but for the price of a Fiat?
So, fellow creatives, how many times have you heard this from a potential client?
More importantly how many times have you heard this and thought, 'but what if this job is THE job? The breakthrough? What if this client never returns?'.
We've all been there, but believe me it is very unlikely to be the end of the conversation and frankly if it is, it may be a blessing in disguise!
Lowering your prices or doing free/gratis work for "exposure" will neither pay your bills nor give you back the time you spent on it, often at the expense of your time with loved ones. Just as your client's time is precious, and in this fast-paced world we live in we have all been asked "can you do it yesterday?", your time is equally precious and should be valued as such.
Would you ever ask an eye surgeon who is just about to touch your eyes "can you do it for half price?" The answer is obviously a resounding NO! ❌
Yes, creative work is not a life or death matter, but it still counts.
Your eyes are important, they are the creative vision that will get your client's message across.
So, we need to talk about money. Pricing your work is often a challenging element of running a business, especially when you are a newcomer to the industry or you want to go freelance, but it is essential and you need to know how to do it.
Here are some tips on how to value yourself so your clients value you and you can embark on a long, productive and mutually beneficial relationship together:
✅ Do your research, look at what your competitors are charging.
✅ Be realistic with the time it actually takes to do things and price accordingly.
✅ Factor in the cost of first, second and third drafts.
✅ Will you incur expenses? If so, factor this in.
✅ Look at the whole picture, factor in time for the ideas stage, sure you know how long it takes to design something, but what about the time it takes to think of the design concept in the first place?
✅ Most importantly communicate with your client, discuss what works for both of you and be true to yourself and your skills. If your price doesn't work for them, negotiate a solution that suits BOTH of you.
Remember there is a reason you are here in the first place, the client has seen your work and respects it, don't let your fear of pricing your work eclipse your passion for creating.
