One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from both experienced creatives AND designers starting out is; “How do I price my services?” And there is really no helpful, short answer to that question; and you certainly can’t just copy the pricing of another designer… The only useful way I really answer that, is to explain the factors which should dicatate your individual pricing – and importantly, when and how to use certain pricing structures; for example fixed fees, or daily / hourly rates. So here we are; welcome to this class, where we’re going to unravel some of the mystery behind effective pricing – for freelance designers & small studios. So a few key factors we just have to consider when it comes to pricing; and we’ll separate these into two sections; 1st; Factors related to your clients and the market you work within. This includes; Who your clients are; are they small businesses? Middleweight corporate firms? Or are you freelancing for design agencies / studios? Each requires a very different approach to pricing. We’ll also consider the ‘market’ you work within. Where do most of your projects come from? Is it a niche sector with very little competition, or broad? Local or Global? What are your competitors charging, how do they structure their pricing? The second section then focuses on YOU. Your experience, your costs and expenses. Which services are you providing? How long you spend providing certain services to a standard you’re happy with. (this is key, as it’s different from one creative to another). How long you spend communicating with and getting to know each client, getting up to speed with each project.
