Co-authored Zubaida Nazzal
In this last part, we will demonstrate an example of how to price your work, payments and refunding, don’t forget to read part 1 and part 2 to fully understand how to price works, what to consider and what’s important.
At the beginning, you shall keep your pricing simple, since it will be difficult for you to know the general prices and determine the deciding factors. So, it’s advisable to present a number of packages, products, themes, options and/or projects, and keep your prices clear and fixed so people won’t feel hesitant and intimidated to try your services/ products.
One perfect example of listing the prices and being clear about your services’ options is the Bahraini local artist Sarah (aka: popcornnoseart). She doesn’t only commit herself to her listings, but she is also flexible whenever she can, and try to fulfill any custom requests she receives.
In article 2, the 8th element was Color and values
As you can see here Sarah based her prices accordingly, doing an outline will surely take less time from her than adding the flats and even less time and effort than if she will add the full colors
How much of the character will she be drawing is a contributing element in her pricing
You can also notice her flexibility with the poses and they are not affecting the prices
For example, a portrait artist will start by determining the price according to the parts he will draw same can be said for photographers, the head 30$, full body 60$ and full body in certain customs 70$, regardless of the details and differences. When the clients get used to the prices and is comfortable working with you then you have achieve the first step and the most important one, creating a steady clients’ base. Then, you can introduce more options, like adding a new complicated style with a different price, the head 45$, full body 80$ and full body in custom 90$.
It will happen though that some clients will ask for things other than the packages you offer, then you can customize the price to them according to the elements previously explained in (How to Price your Creative Work? Pt. 2/3), then send a written quotation to the client after discussing the details and the requirements. The quotation should include, time, date, reference number, job description, prices and duration. Don’t turn down jobs before you try them at least once, because you don’t know which job might change your perspective and which job can open new doors for you. However if the job is really bigger than your abilities, then let the client know and refuse jobs if you really feel they are way above your skills level or knowledge
The Client is not paying!
To keep yourself safe, include your conditions in the quotation. It’s advisable to ask for a down payment of 50% in order to reserve your right in being paid at least partially, and the client reserve his right, by paying only part of the price till the work is delivered. you can include that the price is nonrefundable since you’ll be using it to start the work and buy the needed supplies, and you will be rescheduling for the job, and the client was serious enough to sign the quotation, send the money and give his approval.
However, you can break your conditions if the client is dear to you and you value him or you find his circumstances compelling. You can either give back part of the down payment or a full refund. Not all cases are the same, each client is different of course. Some clients are just wonderful and understanding, that you can’t help but be the same to them, they’ll understand any delays, respect your time and some even pay you the full amount, pay you extra or pay before you even ask. On the other hand, there are inconsiderate clients, who are very demanding, request way too many changes and late in payments, demand a discount as their birth right or/and refuse to pay extra when you ask them to due to their many extra demands, edits and requests. It’s a spectrum, and you’ll have to deal with both, the higher you go, the pickier you get with who you want to work with the less inclined you are to work with the letter.
What skill do I need to get clients?
Marketing for sure, being a creator alone, won’t help you get the clients, you need to do your own marketing at first and you need to be present whenever you can, in real events, in social media and anywhere you like your clients to be from.
“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”
Walt Disney, Co-Founder of The Walt Disney Company
As for social media, there are many places, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Pintrest and/or anything that suits you, most importantly, clients need to know that you exist and see your work presented. Just try to focus in your beginnings on improving your skills rather than try to sell it out, because the better you are, the more the clients. A good balance will be around 10% to 15% for marketing your skills and the rest should go to developing it. Improvement of course never stops.
The payments at the beginning will be small, but they will increase with experience, skills and time, the clients will usually change and bigger clients will come, so make sure to be out there because you don’t know which opportunity will change your life. Try approaching the clients yourself, some clients might not answer back, and you might feel rejected, but that’s how it is, especially at the start, but this is very normal, so don’t take it personally and don’t get overwhelmed. Do your best, be consistent, and you’ll surely make it EinshaAllah