Hi all, New to the forum not to graphic design. I have an ongoing relationship freelancing for a marketing agency who has clients I work for but through them, and I am starting to notice some unrealistic time allowances for projects. Could I get some opinions as I think they are off and I am flagging this but I just wanted clarification.
Please bear in mind the time expectations are what they want my billing to be - so it includes design, comms, exporting, feedback etc.
Yesterday I was given a brief for 16 Canva templates in 2x sizes - so 32 templates and 6 of which were to be carousels. I was given 3 hours and said flat out no because just their briefing to me was half a hour.
Then today the same person shot back with 4 posts and 1 carousel (all different messages and content) to be completed in a hour.
What are your opinions on these time frame? They often want them produced in Canva which I find clunky at best compared to software such as Illustrator.
Is it the agency or the client that is placing the unreasonable time constraints on you? If it were me, I’d tell them to find someone else who’s willing to attempt the impossible. However, I know it’s hard to turn down work, even from those whose expectations don’t align with reality.
It’s the agency putting these time limits on, I’ve been with them 3 months and up until last week they would ask me and I was honest (too honest) on how long it would really take and now they are not asking, they are telling. I have asked whether I have said I could do them that fast and they have said no…I think you’re right, it might be time to look for more work.
Yeah, that’s really pushing it, if you are trying to do quality work. I wouldn’t be able to get that much done in that time frame. It’d be more like a day, or day and a half. And the fact they want it in Canva is a nuisance. I’d probably pass just based on that.
I have, I was originally asked how long it would take and I quoted 1/2 a hour to an hour per asset based on size of the project eg carousels, and they came back and said they had budgeted three hours on it.
Yesterday I got a revised brief - 20 templates in 2 hours but could 4 of them be carousels. I should also mention that for this project the client is brand new with no brand guidelines, no existing content and I don’t even think she likes the colours that are being used or the logo. So I would literally be pulling the designs out of my ass.
It’s got to the point where I have to choose between money or safeguarding good design - but then would they mess it up anyway when handed the templates? I want to say no but there doesn’t seem to be much work around at the moment.
It’s easy to give clients the real amount of time it would take to complete a job—in a perfect world we would be paid fairly and there would be no wrenches in production and the client would love it.
I always think of a quote like, it could take me two hours, but the critique, review, comms, dev and sourcing the stock, etc could take just as long. Not to mention if your paying for your own licenses (CC or Canva, or software) you yourself have overhead you need to get the work done.
2.5x it, and if you get it dont in 4 hours when you quoted 8 then they would think you’re a super star but if it takes 7 hrs they would still think the same.
The next question is do you want them as a long term client and are you willing to set expectations with them?
So by my math, their first estimate was that it would take you 5.6 minutes to create each asset. Your response was that it would be 30 minutes. Then they counter offered by allocating 6 minutes. Ugh. That’s insulting.
If you accept at that rate, then that becomes the new benchmark your quotes will be judged against. You’ve shown them that you can be pressured into working at a heavy discount. That will come back to haunt you.
Yes. Of course, They will. I guarantee it. But someone choosing to screw up their business isn’t my problem. You can prepare a nice steak for someone but you can’t stop them from dousing it in ketchup.
I wonder what would happen if I went to my dentist and insisted that he replace a crown in 10 minutes because I had only budgeted thirty dollars. Or maybe the next time I call a plumber, I’ll argue with them that it should only take 4 minutes to clean out the sewer line. If it works, I’ll tell the supermarket clerk that the price for a loaf of bread is just too dang high, and then offer to pay ten cents for it.
It might be good for a laugh, but I’m certain they wouldn’t agree to my terms. You’re supposed to be a professional, not someone selling left-over odds and ends at a flea market.
I have no idea what these Canva templates and carousels might be or how long it might take. However, your best estimate far exceeds what they’re proposing. You’ve already spent what they’re willing to offer in the overhead of discussing it with them and writing here.
You also mentioned your relationship with them as being ongoing. Have they ever tried to get you to work for poverty wages before? Have their other jobs been worth it, or is this a first? I’m curious because I’ve sometimes done favors for good, solid, long-term clients who were in a jam. Sometimes those kinds of gestures have paid off by letting them know I care about them and their business. However, when I’ve done this, I’ve always let them know I’m doing it as a one-time favor because they’re such good clients.
Your situation, however, seems more like they plan on charging their client their regular rate while getting you to cut yours to ridiculously low levels. If that’s the case, I might compromise slightly (very slightly), then politely tell them that you can’t go lower because you can’t afford to work for what they’re willing to pay you. If you agree to their terms, you’ve shown them that they can dictate whatever terms they want on future jobs and that you’ll agree to them. In other words, set your price, set your expectations, and then stick to it.
For what it’s worth, I’ve probably turned down three times as many freelance clients as I’ve accepted. I’ve gotten to the point where I won’t even consider taking on clients who haven’t had experience working with other designers and who don’t pass a basic internet background check.
It’s important to remember that as a designer, you set the price not the client. No restaurant lets customers walk in and dictate what they’ll pay for a meal. The menu is set, and if the customer doesn’t like the prices, they can eat somewhere else. The same applies to design work.
If a client consistently undervalues your time, it’s a sign that the working relationship isn’t sustainable. Instead of reacting to their unrealistic expectations, take control of the conversation.
Define your pricing – set clear rates for different types of projects, including time for revisions, communication, and designs in general.
The next time they send a brief, don’t argue about their time estimate simply send them a quote based on your actual pricing. If they value your work, they’ll respect it.
And in the quote set your turnaround times. Set priority pricing rates.
You can’t even book a plane ticket these days without getting offers to pay extra for priority boarding, or picking your own seat… why is this any different?
Be willing to walk away if they refuse to pay fair rates, they aren’t a client worth keeping. There’s always another business looking for quality work, and you’re better off finding clients who appreciate what you bring to the table.
At the end of the day, working under pressure for less pay will only burn you out and set the wrong precedent. Set your terms, stick to them, and let the right clients come to you.
Thanks everyone for your comments it’s been a huge help. I think it’s clear it’s not a working relationship that’s going to work out, there have been a few other issues along the way that have aided this decision. Back to the drawing board!
