I Hate

[Dana]

Doing work that I don't think looks good and having to choke on it.

 

[Darrell]

I doubt you are the first artist to feel this way. I'm sure it looks good.

 

[dkwrtw]

Dude I know all to well how you feel

 

[sexysadie]

I don't think I know what you mean Dana.

 

[Dana]

I don't think I know what you mean Dana.

I was doing design work and a guy kept telling me to chasnge stuff and the changes he wanted didn't really appeal to me but he's supposed to be paying me so i have to suck it up.


OH and wtf iis it with people wanting me to cut them deals? I told dude straight out each logo was 40 bucks...

 

[Dana]

him: i got another dude that will get a hold of you for pgraphics. Im gonna be sending a lot of people to you man..you were fast as shit and they are clean as fuck



me: thank you. I don't want to get into the habit of giving everybody deals because i get business. Nothing against you but I'm out to make some money, you know? I had another guy try that with me and i did and now i haven't heard shit from him on payment for a second job I did for him. I'm not saying you's fuck me over I'm just letting it be known.




him: I dont roll like that homie...i figured you was part of the clothing company..we need a design man, I aint askin for had outs I was just sayin like $6o for both would be dope..and we are gonna keeo using you for the clothin line

 

[Thornless]

Stick to your guns, once you start doing or not doing discounts.. they wait and expect them all the time.

I do reward my long term steady clients though, but I never undercut myself. I give them rebooking disounts, 10% off 60 mins, and 20% off 90mins. Reg 70$ & 100$.

Might be good to think on, you don't want them looking for cheaper places... I would counter with, "Dude, I will do a discount for you, after your refferal comes in and pays for work. I will give you 15% off the next logo."

 

[Dana]

I need to do payments up front or no work. You know I told him 60 was cool cuz i really would rather have 60 than him getting anal and me not ending up with shit. But God. It pisses me the fuck off. i think he thinks he's doin me a favor... He told people i guess that i expect 50 atleast for my logo work when I've been askin 40... Ya know i know hes tryin to help me out but i really don't know this dude from a hole in the wall.

 

[Guyzerr]

Dana you have to decide what your work is worth. You set the price and you stick with it.

 

[Dana]

i did set a price but im in a position where other than monthly income this is my only cash flow. So it's swallow my pride and take a cut or do work and get shit in return. That's how I look at it anyways.

 

[Darrell]

I'd tell that dude to blow me, he knew the price upfront. This isn't a bazaar, the prices aren't up for negotiation.

 

[Dana]

True. i should... but I prob won't.

 

[Guyzerr]

True. i should... but I prob won't.

Do it from behind your computer screen and you won't have a problem.

 

[Dana]

I just posted this and did so without pointing anyone one person out. Thanks to darrell.

Alright this is a heads up. This has been racking my brain for a half hour or so. Take notes. I will NOT take anymore cuts on my design work. What I tell yuou for a price is the price it's going to be. This goes out to anyone who wants work from me. I'm not selling myself short. Payments will now be up front before the work is completed. If you want to do the transaction online I'll supply you with my Paypal email address. I'm in a business to secure a good solid clientele base but I'm also in this to make money. Nobody likes being short changed.

 

[Willow]

I was doing design work and a guy kept telling me to chasnge stuff and the changes he wanted didn't really appeal to me but he's supposed to be paying me so i have to suck it up.


OH and wtf iis it with people wanting me to cut them deals? I told dude straight out each logo was 40 bucks...

Dana,
I haven't seen any of your work, but I would like to offer you a little piece of advice... from the archives of my life's experience, if you don't mind..

If this is your job.. whoever hires you, will know you are doing it it to earn money to pay your bills and eat.. so be upfront and say it.. No deals!!..

- Take the time to do a page with a price list and put everything you want your clients to know, in writing..
For example:
Logo $ 40.00.... With 1 (one) redo.. or fix.. or whatever you want to call it..
After that, apply extra charges..

Go down the line, and list everything with price and other information..

- DON'T start any job without a down payment!!.. Request 1/2 before you start, and the rest at the time of delivery..

- Make sure to specify that it is NOT returnable..

- Many places that do business online, require full payment at the time of ordering.. so think about that..

- Be very professional with anything relating to your job or business..

- Have business cards, letterheads, flyers, portfolio and anything you need on hand... all the time..
Remember that having your business cards in your wallet, is like carrying your business in your pocket everywhere you go..

I never go out without having some of my cards in my wallet or purse.. More than once, I got a new client while striking a casual conversation with someone in Walmart!..

- Before you start any job, meet with the person -face to face if it's possible- , and discuss what they want, how they want it.. etc..

- Make sure that everyone understands that your time is your bread and butter..

- Always remember that the client is your income...
Even if you don't like the end result.. if they are happy with it and you get your money, hand the job over and don't look back.. go on to a new one..

- When someone asks you to cut them a deal, say "Sorry, but I set my prices to be fair for everyone, and I can't do that.. I charge everyone the same price for my time and work"...
Be nice when you say that, and be consistent with it.. you'll win the respect of your clients..

- Once you are established, you can start charging different prices... but be consistent at the beginning..

- You might not like this little piece of advice.. or you might already be doing it.. but here it goes, because it's very important:
Present yourself well and be well groomed, from head to toes...
Dress like a professional..
Watch your manners and language...
Think about what you are going to say, and how you say it..

Good luck, and best wishes for a booming business..

 

[retro]

I agree with everyone that you shouldn't be cutting deals everywhere with people. Make a price list for the type of work, and ask for dull payment up front or half down and half on the completion of the project, but before you give them the actual finished files.

On another note, if you plan on this being a business, you really, really, really, and I can't stress this enough, really need to work on learning to communicate professionally. If you want people to take you and your business seriously and not try to take advantage of you, then you need to set a professional tone with them. I haven't seen anything in the stuff that you've posted about your graphics work and interactions with clients that shows any sort of professionalism. I don't mean that as a slam or anything, just something that I've noticed and would probably be in your best interests to try harder at.

 

[Dana]

I'm all for professionalism but when you deal with people calling you homie and shit it's fucking hard. It drives me up the fucking wall. I was doing work for a white balding mid 30s accountant who alsio does him hip hop promotion and he was calling me fucking homie.

 

[Darrell]

Good story.......homie.

 

[Francis]

I agree with everyone that you shouldn't be cutting deals everywhere with people. Make a price list for the type of work, and ask for dull payment up front or half down and half on the completion of the project, but before you give them the actual finished files.

On another note, if you plan on this being a business, you really, really, really, and I can't stress this enough, really need to work on learning to communicate professionally. If you want people to take you and your business seriously and not try to take advantage of you, then you need to set a professional tone with them. I haven't seen anything in the stuff that you've posted about your graphics work and interactions with clients that shows any sort of professionalism. I don't mean that as a slam or anything, just something that I've noticed and would probably be in your best interests to try harder at.

I'm all for professionalism but when you deal with people calling you homie and shit it's fucking hard. It drives me up the fucking wall. I was doing work for a white balding mid 30s accountant who alsio does him hip hop promotion and he was calling me fucking homie.

Dana, Retro is really give you sound advice..

I am not going to deny your clients talk to you in the way you say, but if you talk back in a professional manner you will start to attract much better responses on your site.. When I took a look the other day I must admit the language is more punk style than business.

If that's what you want to keep dealing with and the type of people you want to attract, fine but don't complain if they don't pay or never really amount to much.. They will mooch business from you day in and out..

Just my added piece of advice..

 

[cam elle toe]

Gotta agree. If someone sent me a "heads up" with the words "Take Notes" in it...they wouldnt be getting any more "bizness" from me