My first job

[Sketcher]

A company wants me to do a logo for them. Since this will be my first time doing work for a company, I am unsure about what to charge. I'm not asking for anyone to give me a specific price, I just need to know how to come up with a price to charge. Are there any websites on this or any personal advise anyone can give me? Thanks in advance.

http://img58.exs.cx/img58/3405/sketchercopy5pw.jpg

[1984]

I would ask for three barrels of wine, an Ox, the familys youngest daughter and some land in a far away place.

Blah Blah. Pitter Patter.

[Ulysses]

You forgot the Buxom Milk Maid, 1984.

[Kink]

LOL... OMG you guys are too funny...

Sketcher, I usually charge a person depending on the size of the company or potential.
For Example:
Big Company bringing in lots of cash- $100/hour
Medium Sized, with potential - $75/hour
Small with potential - $50/hour
Small with little potential (usually for friends) - $35/hour
Stupid people who don't know anything ---------------------> as much as you can get out of them!

Make sure they are aware that you DO charge for extra changes, no matter how many they are.
Mark your time as you go. Don't miss a beat. And don't be scared to charge them what you feel is fare!




http://img106.exs.cx/img106/6982/knk3yr.jpg

[Ulysses]

I used to agree with charging according to the potential/size of a company ... but my morals have sinced changed, as I wouldn't appreciate it being the other way around. Also, business is business, and prices are prices. They should not be negotiable, (depending on the size of the PROJECT/JOB) however, I feel it is a different matter if the client requires alot of work ... like any business, a bulk discount is usually considered a good business/marketing move.

Apart from that, you need to charge what you think you're really worth. Afterall, Hollywood Mansions cannot be bought for the price of a 1-Man tent.

[BOSCOW]

Prices are prices....many people do do what Kink suggested, and there is nothing wrong with that but I wouldnt follow it to closley, It would kind of like going into a clothing store and only paying half the price because you dont make as much money as a doctor going into buy the clothes

[uncle carbunkle]

>>>find out what their budget is<<<

if they are at all cagey (thinking that you'll just double whatever they say), just explain it to them this way:

you want xyz result.

- if they have an enormous budget: 'i'll put xyz amount of hours into it and give you all the bells and whistles that you might require. this is my hourly rate/estimate.'

-should they have a small budget: 'you will still have xyz end product. however, you may have a more economical version/amount (ie. business cards, with letter head and envelopes to follow as they have the cash flow) until they find it prudent to spend more. if xyz is what you can spend, then we will have to work within that budget, and this is what i can provide for you within that amount'

i always find that to be the best way to:
a) guage how much money they have to spend
b) find out what they actually want to spend their money on
c) instill confidence that i will work for their best interests, and not just my bank balance
d) create an ongoing relationship with a 'repeat business' client

good luck.

::Don't call me Foreman, for I am your Boss::

[Lonepine]

I charge $60 per hour no matter who the client is. If they don't like it, then tough, go get Joe Crappy Designer down the street to do the job for $20 bucks an hour. I don't bend on my pricing no matter how much they whine. I've learned over the years that if the potential client is not willing to pay my prices than they are probably not worth pursuing in the first place.

[Bear]

give em a couple of options. i start charging for logo design at about £500 for a couple different concepts and a revision here and there, but make sure you stick to it. it's a sticky slope when you start saying, yeah sure no problem, i'll just take all 3 concepts, mix them up and bring back 8 more ideas......then two weeks down the line you've realised you've done 140 varied concepts and they're saying 'yeah this is really starting to work, now can we make it look alittle more tuesday ?' and suddenly that £500 for a simple logo becomes what you have to live off for that month. stick to your guns, draw up an agreement and stick to it. if they're not happy with the amount, then say fine, i'll do two concepts for less etc etc etc

my first response is always a critical one

hand : ollie@ollielindsey.co.uk
eye : www.ollielindsey.co.uk (http://www.ollielindsey.co.uk)
mouth : 07966 160983

[Sketcher]

Thanks for the help everyone. Really appreciate it.

http://img58.exs.cx/img58/3405/sketchercopy5pw.jpg

[wienerdog]

I feel it is fair to base it off the budget a client has available for the project. Some clients have paid me anywhere from $11/hour to $25/hour. It depended on how bad I needed the money, how reliant I could be that they would pay, and how much experience I had. When I was going to school, I charged very little because I needed extra money, and wasn't a 'certified designer' since I didn't have my degree (as if that makes a big difference).

I've basedmy rate off of several things:
-How much the client planned on budgeting for this project
-How much experience I have with what I'd be doing for them
-How bad I needed the money

Definitely get it in writing, with the client understanding hourly charges and will be charged for changes. Sometimes they don't get that, nor do the appreciate the work and time a designer puts in.

I have one client that, even after 3 years experience, I still only charge $11/hour. It's nearly pro-bono work, but if this T-shirt company he's starting takes off, I may have a stake in the company. So it may be worth it one day.



wiEnerDog
Weinerdog Graphics - My portfolio site! (http://www.wienerdoggraphics.com)