It isn't a good idea to do anything which will attract the wrong type of customer. You can bet they'll send their friends, many of which will be cheaper than themselves.
What's your take on web sites like elance.com? They would seem to indicate the increasing globalization of service businesses like design, where you are not necessarily competing against lowballers, but against the prevailing rates in places like Romania, Slovakia, India, Zambia and so forth -- places where levels of design skill can be pretty high and $15 is pretty good wage.
After 30 years in this business i have to say most clients are a pain to work with in some way or another. And now there is NO loyalty, a towelhead in India can take my work and get paid in corn and rice. I need to feed my family and i threw away my self respect when i entered advertising.
But, I guess i would feel better about things if i said i charge $200 an hour and nobody is deserving of me unless they pay that. However, we are not doctors or plastic surgeons, we make items to sell other things. We are dispensable, and price does not create more effective, or more beautiful work. I am so worthy of more that i ought to charge you for writing this comment.
This is a good article. Certainly, many freelance graphic designers and web designers charge their price overboard. Well, we can't blame them for that since the tragic recession's rage still lingers around us. If they wouldn't do such thing then how will they pay their power bill, loans if any or rent? On the other hand, an overprice labor could also costs you less or rather no clients at all. This is a competitive market. More or less, just be fair to you and your clients then everything will fall into place.
I don't think this article is fair. There was a time when you could charge a premium price because you were the only person who could do the work. But now the technology has leveled the playing field and now anyone can create. Of course most of the stuff created by the unwashed masses is crap, but guess what? They don't care! If you can find the clients that are willing to pay a premium when the guy down the street can do the same work for less, great. But I think those days are rapidly coming to an end.
Submitted by oriongraphics on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 15:17.
As President of the Freelance Design Marketing Association, your article suggesting everyone keep their prices high is shamefully self-serving, and dismally short sighted. Companies offering services must provide VALUE to their customers, regardless of the price. If web designers can't offer their clients great VALUE for a necessary service at a price that the customer can't find ANYWHERE else, then good riddance.
My customers KNOW what I offer them, that it is an IRREPLACEABLE service to them, that they CAN"T do without it, and that I offer them the service at a FAIR price which they can't match elsewhere for the service I provide.
Be IMPORTANT to your clients. View your role as IMPROVING their business, not making pretty pictures.
Designers are cheap and plentiful. Companies that help other companies better their market position are rare and invaluable.
If you are serious about teaching designers how to market their services successfully, teach them to offer VALUE, not to charge a lot.
Attracting the Wrong Customer
It isn't a good idea to do anything which will attract the wrong type of customer. You can bet they'll send their friends, many of which will be cheaper than themselves.
elance.com
What's your take on web sites like elance.com? They would seem to indicate the increasing globalization of service businesses like design, where you are not necessarily competing against lowballers, but against the prevailing rates in places like Romania, Slovakia, India, Zambia and so forth -- places where levels of design skill can be pretty high and $15 is pretty good wage.
??
Follow these tips and u wont get an order because ur price was too high.
easy for you to say
easy for you to say
How noble that sounds
After 30 years in this business i have to say most clients are a pain to work with in some way or another. And now there is NO loyalty, a towelhead in India can take my work and get paid in corn and rice. I need to feed my family and i threw away my self respect when i entered advertising.
But, I guess i would feel better about things if i said i charge $200 an hour and nobody is deserving of me unless they pay that. However, we are not doctors or plastic surgeons, we make items to sell other things. We are dispensable, and price does not create more effective, or more beautiful work. I am so worthy of more that i ought to charge you for writing this comment.
signed- future walmart greeter
i agree
Aren't you just shilling for your "Association"? I don't think you charge enough for membership ha!
Seriously, go preach to the third world designers, get them to raise their prices.
apply this concept to other
apply this concept to other aspects of your life and life becomes more enjoyable all around.
This is a good article.
This is a good article. Certainly, many freelance graphic designers and web designers charge their price overboard. Well, we can't blame them for that since the tragic recession's rage still lingers around us. If they wouldn't do such thing then how will they pay their power bill, loans if any or rent? On the other hand, an overprice labor could also costs you less or rather no clients at all. This is a competitive market. More or less, just be fair to you and your clients then everything will fall into place.
Not Fair
I don't think this article is fair. There was a time when you could charge a premium price because you were the only person who could do the work. But now the technology has leveled the playing field and now anyone can create. Of course most of the stuff created by the unwashed masses is crap, but guess what? They don't care! If you can find the clients that are willing to pay a premium when the guy down the street can do the same work for less, great. But I think those days are rapidly coming to an end.
What a missed opportunity
As President of the Freelance Design Marketing Association, your article suggesting everyone keep their prices high is shamefully self-serving, and dismally short sighted. Companies offering services must provide VALUE to their customers, regardless of the price. If web designers can't offer their clients great VALUE for a necessary service at a price that the customer can't find ANYWHERE else, then good riddance.
My customers KNOW what I offer them, that it is an IRREPLACEABLE service to them, that they CAN"T do without it, and that I offer them the service at a FAIR price which they can't match elsewhere for the service I provide.
Be IMPORTANT to your clients. View your role as IMPROVING their business, not making pretty pictures.
Designers are cheap and plentiful. Companies that help other companies better their market position are rare and invaluable.
If you are serious about teaching designers how to market their services successfully, teach them to offer VALUE, not to charge a lot.