How Much Do I Charge? Please Help
Violet13 (7 points) | Wed, 2009-06-17 18:58Hey, I'm a Freelance Graphic Designer who is just starting out.
I got hired to do work for a Restaurant that is opening in Toronto. It is a very upscale and a very popular restaurant that has money.
I have done a menu 2 pages front and back, a breakfast menu, press release design, 2 sided brochure, 2 Flyers, Opening Ad. Went to the printers myself to ensure everything went smoothly. I've been constantly making changes due to them changing there mind about what these ads should say. Etc. I've been doing this for a month now. About 20 hours spent on design work and 20 spent on going to printers constantly, meetings with the client and basically anything they need.
The problem is they are trying to low-ball me on the price because, A) I am a student and B) I will be working with them as a bartender when it opens.
Please help Thanks.
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This is putting the cart before the horse. Without a clear contractual agreement with this client up front, they can take advantage of the confusion they've created with all the constant changes (typical of restaurants, by the way) and, as you've already said, your inexperience.
You need to apply the brakes now. Add up the time you've already spent and issue an invoice along with a proposal for how you will handle work going forward. establish an hourly rate and stick to it. Let them know every time they ask for a change how much time that change will take, refer to the proposal, and translate that into dollars. You might explain to them, as a helpful colleague in their business development, that they could save money by stopping to think about their message and giving it to you as close as possible to how they will finally want it.
You are not their unpaid intern. Sure, you might be just getting started yourself, but you are a professional now. Start acting like one. You might be surprised by how much more professionally you'll be treated.
Forget the future bartender role with them. They might just be dangling that job to keep you working as a designer for free. Have you thought of that? Divorce the design from the bartending if you can. That's a real sticky situation you've got there. I wish you well.
Mara
Thanks for the advice. I tracked my hours and sent an invoice.
Best,
Morgan
High five me, girl! Good for you! Be sure to tell us what kind of reaction you get.
Mara
mara has it right.
always *ALWAYS* always work on a contract that is signed and agreed to *before* doing any work at all. that's how to minimize issues like this. it also helps you come across as a professional and helps set expectations up front. not having a contract up front is a very common mistake in the beginning.
aiga.org has some good basic contracts you can use as a template (although you might want to look into one tailored for canadian law).
Sounds like they are using you and aren't respecting the fact you can charge them designer rates, not wrap it into your bartender salary.
The contract ensures they can't take advantage of you on a project, but also commits both of you to the project and what it entails. Talking to printers is billable work as is any of your time spent on their behalf.
To answer your question: Charge for your time, at the going rate in your area.
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Dirt and Rust
Well, The verdict.
I did not get what I wanted which is my fault. But...They like my work and still have me doing projects and are willing to pay what I ask now.
I am still bartending for them but they gave me choice of all my shift and I get more then any of the other bartendars.
So, I'm gunna chalk this one up to experience and good portfolio.
Thanks for the advice =)
There's some good advice on pricing here:
http://buildinternet.com/pricing-bootcamp/
(a lot of which mirrors what has been said above) and, although it's targeted more towards web design, there's bits in there that are valid for all forms of design.