Are the fees or prices you’re charging for your creative services too low? I bet they are.
Try doubling the money. You have to deliver the goods, of course, but that’s true in any work. Chances are that the clients you ditched needed ditching, the clients you carry forward and the new clients you land will pay those fees happily and will better understand the value you bring.
And I’m guessing you’ll be happier and much better off in the long run.
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(via Mark Anderson/Andertoons.com)
I Doubled my price a year ago. Most of my problems went away. Clients that use to complain about bs suddenly stopped complaining. Amazing.
This is a timely post. I recently bid a couple of big jobs at significantly higher rates than I have in the past. Not because I have become a better photographer, but because I was underselling the job before, and I am now content to either a) do it for what is worth or b) not do it at all. That’s not to say that I won’t do free work still (actually most of the work coming up this month is for an NGO or personal projects) but the free/cheap work that I do will be for causes/friends/projects that I really care about and want to throw my energy behind for some greater reward beyond money. However, the commercial work that I do from here out will be with clients who are willing to pay fairly for the work I do, and if that means losings some clients along the way (which it has) that’s fine – in the long run (as stated above) I have confidence that it will result in lasting relationships with a core group of clients who respect and appreciate my work. That said, losing clients and the fear that come with that rejection are not fun – just have to keep the long term goal in mind!
I’m at the same point! Since I’ve been doing a lot of the personal stuff for the projects I’m really into for free, they’ve helped me land the bigger commercial gigs. It’s not an easy step but a necessary one for sure. You can’t experience great success without taking great risks.
very possibly but ultimately it is supply and demand.
Only if you set yourself up as a commodity. Supply and demand is a fluid concept when it comes to art or photography. Supply is unknown, because you are setting up a buying environment that is largely emotional and a niche market. If you sell yourself and an experience than the supply is very exclusive. Beyond that, demand is a created thing, not a stone cold figure. We have to develop the demand like any product, but we have the right and privilege to say no to clients. This is much different than going to buy a commodity, like a gallon of milk. When’s the last time you picked up a gallon of 2% and it looked up at you and said, “I don’t think we’re a good fit.”?
I agree; creatives need to fight the commoditization of their own industry. We’re people and we create unique solutions. We are not widgets. Having said that, one does need to eat, too.
I’ve been stuck at a crossroads with this..I think its time I take chances.
We are about to double our prices for 2013.. scary step.. like truly hard for us to even think about, let alone implement .. but it needs to happen.