Thank you for writing on such a valuable topic - our value. It's so easy to undervalue/seek approval, and so hard to see my worth. I do once I realize that I really undercharged. :) Well written.
Submitted by amylouise on Thu, 02/24/2005 - 15:46.
Well said. Especially the part about being caught unawares - that happened to me a lot in the early part of my career, mainly because I assumed that people I considered friends wouldn't try to cheat me.
Live and learn, I guess.
Bret Taylor
howyadoin graphics
Submitted by brettaylor on Tue, 03/01/2005 - 10:45.
Best use of not only Kenny Rogers' lyrics, but advice I can take to heart on two fronts: knowing when I'm being taken advantage of by a client and doing something about it for starters, and furthermore, thinking about the value of my experiences NOT JUST my skills.
Submitted by robin_at_skdc on Tue, 03/01/2005 - 14:35.
This article resonated very strongly with me, albeit in a different manner than with most of those who have responded so far. Although I truly understand the dilemma of dealing with clients that undervalue my value to them (or even the value of good design work no matter who does it for them) I was engaged and drawn in by the information in the article that spoke of the client who thought writing about the process of documenting his grandmother's story was more important than telling the story itself (and also the story of the relationship between he and his grandmother).
My connection to the article and to the client mentioned is that I write creative non-fiction and personal story as part of my art (I also do fiber arts, sculpture, graphic design, digital art and photography). Of all the art that I do, I find story the hardest to value. However, I think that it has the potential for containing the most Worth...
As a MFA candidate studying for a degree in Interdisciplinary Art I began with (and occasionally return to) this very essential struggle – judging the value of my work. The notion that the work I did had value was difficult for me. Like the client with the grandmother stories, I had no concept of the worth of what I created (or could create). Even though I knew my art had monetary value (each piece sold for hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars), I was unsure that it had any value other than that of a decoration in the homes of the affluent. I was unsure it had any true Worth. It became imminently clear to me as I wrestled with this concept that I had to decide if I wanted my artwork to have a social value also – a worth beyond being a beautiful "thing."
Was I being the change I wanted to see in the world?
In the growth that naturally occurs in any honest course of study (be it formal education or rigorous self examination) I have come to see that my work must have some sort of value (other than sales value) for me to be content with it, and as a result, the work I do has changed. It no longer is quite as marketable as it once was. That's okay – I have a day job – and I'd rather make art that satisfies me and conveys the meaning I want it to express rather than make lots of money selling my art... I have become willing to risk telling the story itself rather than talking about how to make the story.
Submitted by monta gael on Thu, 01/12/2006 - 04:20.
Last month I provided help to three designers (new graduates entering the job market) who had not been paid for design work. They were going to simply advertise the "bad client" via magazine article (because that Bad Client was running a new advertisement for Entry Level Design Position) and non-payment issue was pending after months of unanswered inquiries.
My advise was the same as Molly so beautifully put it: Move on, and drop the client; with added suggestion, to communicate with all clients up front; let them know you expect them to reward your effort with a fair price (call the Better Business Bureau and file a claim in small claims court for any dead beats).
My suggestion:
Stop talking price and begin offering value by interviewing each client (to know their needs) and make sure they can and will pay for your expertise. We put too much attention on price and not enough energy into the client/designer relationship. Look for a good relationship and everyone wins.
Terrific article, suggest more of same in future.
Thanks for the refreshing article. Taking a leap of faith and sharing who you are not what you are is always a challenge. Thanks for encourageing your friend to walk the road less travelled and share his grandma's life lessons. Good on you for not submitting to fear of "loosing a client" and knowing your worth. I too, and I'm sure every one of us struggles with our marketable value but we must not sell ourselves short as we are uniquely gifted for a purpose. Pride is not the answer but rolling over and taking a beating won't do either. Shine for who we are and create from your heart and being! Good job.
Submitted by Scott Bailey on Thu, 01/12/2006 - 07:09.
I was originally Googling to find a definition for unique value proposal and I found more than I expected in the article. It gave me additional insight into the value I bring to the table when promoting my skill-set. Thanks!
The article is right-on! I had to fire a client because after they assigned the jobs they never provided the needed content for the jobs. They would then call me very angry why the job was not progressing. I just told them that I can't make-up your content or read your companies mind on your content, you need to provide that at the very least. Then I fired them on the next phone call they made about the works progress. Best move I ever made.
Great topic and article
Thank you for writing on such a valuable topic - our value. It's so easy to undervalue/seek approval, and so hard to see my worth. I do once I realize that I really undercharged. :) Well written.
Really great article!
Really great article!
Firing Clients
Well said. Especially the part about being caught unawares - that happened to me a lot in the early part of my career, mainly because I assumed that people I considered friends wouldn't try to cheat me.
Live and learn, I guess.
Bret Taylor
howyadoin graphics
Wow! Best use of Kenny Rogers lyrics...
Best use of not only Kenny Rogers' lyrics, but advice I can take to heart on two fronts: knowing when I'm being taken advantage of by a client and doing something about it for starters, and furthermore, thinking about the value of my experiences NOT JUST my skills.
Judging the value of our work
This article resonated very strongly with me, albeit in a different manner than with most of those who have responded so far. Although I truly understand the dilemma of dealing with clients that undervalue my value to them (or even the value of good design work no matter who does it for them) I was engaged and drawn in by the information in the article that spoke of the client who thought writing about the process of documenting his grandmother's story was more important than telling the story itself (and also the story of the relationship between he and his grandmother).
My connection to the article and to the client mentioned is that I write creative non-fiction and personal story as part of my art (I also do fiber arts, sculpture, graphic design, digital art and photography). Of all the art that I do, I find story the hardest to value. However, I think that it has the potential for containing the most Worth...
As a MFA candidate studying for a degree in Interdisciplinary Art I began with (and occasionally return to) this very essential struggle – judging the value of my work. The notion that the work I did had value was difficult for me. Like the client with the grandmother stories, I had no concept of the worth of what I created (or could create). Even though I knew my art had monetary value (each piece sold for hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars), I was unsure that it had any value other than that of a decoration in the homes of the affluent. I was unsure it had any true Worth. It became imminently clear to me as I wrestled with this concept that I had to decide if I wanted my artwork to have a social value also – a worth beyond being a beautiful "thing."
Was I being the change I wanted to see in the world?
In the growth that naturally occurs in any honest course of study (be it formal education or rigorous self examination) I have come to see that my work must have some sort of value (other than sales value) for me to be content with it, and as a result, the work I do has changed. It no longer is quite as marketable as it once was. That's okay – I have a day job – and I'd rather make art that satisfies me and conveys the meaning I want it to express rather than make lots of money selling my art... I have become willing to risk telling the story itself rather than talking about how to make the story.
WOW design with common sense: GREAT
Last month I provided help to three designers (new graduates entering the job market) who had not been paid for design work. They were going to simply advertise the "bad client" via magazine article (because that Bad Client was running a new advertisement for Entry Level Design Position) and non-payment issue was pending after months of unanswered inquiries.
My advise was the same as Molly so beautifully put it: Move on, and drop the client; with added suggestion, to communicate with all clients up front; let them know you expect them to reward your effort with a fair price (call the Better Business Bureau and file a claim in small claims court for any dead beats).
My suggestion:
Stop talking price and begin offering value by interviewing each client (to know their needs) and make sure they can and will pay for your expertise. We put too much attention on price and not enough energy into the client/designer relationship. Look for a good relationship and everyone wins.
Terrific article, suggest more of same in future.
Created unique we each have value
Thanks for the refreshing article. Taking a leap of faith and sharing who you are not what you are is always a challenge. Thanks for encourageing your friend to walk the road less travelled and share his grandma's life lessons. Good on you for not submitting to fear of "loosing a client" and knowing your worth. I too, and I'm sure every one of us struggles with our marketable value but we must not sell ourselves short as we are uniquely gifted for a purpose. Pride is not the answer but rolling over and taking a beating won't do either. Shine for who we are and create from your heart and being! Good job.
How timely!
I was originally Googling to find a definition for unique value proposal and I found more than I expected in the article. It gave me additional insight into the value I bring to the table when promoting my skill-set. Thanks!
Helpful topic well told
Want to tell Molly Joss directly, THANK YOU. Very important point, well told. Going through that very experience myself right now.
Recently I had to fire a client
The article is right-on! I had to fire a client because after they assigned the jobs they never provided the needed content for the jobs. They would then call me very angry why the job was not progressing. I just told them that I can't make-up your content or read your companies mind on your content, you need to provide that at the very least. Then I fired them on the next phone call they made about the works progress. Best move I ever made.