Author Topic: Illustrators Feedback Please (Read 3670 times)

chromaco · « **on:** December 17, 2012, 16:28 »

I just launched my own website and I'm getting all sorts of questions that I'm not sure how to answer. I run a medium size shirt shop and this is just a sideline thing for me. I have been reluctant to do contract work but it is becoming apparent that I might be leaving money on the table. I really don't need additional custom work - especially if it winds up costing me money in opportunity costs - but don't want to turn away decent extra money either.

I was hoping to get some insight into how you handle these issues.

1) Custom requests where I retain the rights and can resell.
How much do you charge? - Is it hourly or do you do it by project?
Do you charge less for images that have a higher probability of resale?
Do you ask for payment up front?

How much do you charge extra if they want exclusivity?

2) How do keep your customers from walking off with the comp images - is this even an issue?

3) On your Microstock Images do you offer subscription plans or a different type of quantity discount?

Any insight you could give would be appreciated.
Thanks ahead of time.

cthoman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:58 »

You can get money upfront or watermark your comps, but I'd say if you don't have the extra time to freelance, I'd probably avoid it.

Microbius · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2012, 10:50 »

I charge about half for non exclusive making it clear that it means I will be selling the work as stock (provided I think the work will be salable as stock- if not don't offer the discount)
I only send watermarked quite low res jpegs while the project is ongoing.
I charge by the project and never take any money upfront, again I make it clear rights transfer is on payment of the fee.
Another good reason to ask for no money upfront is that you can walk away if they turn out to be nut jobs.

ETA LOVE you work by the way, seen it about before and never said anything. Really superb

chromaco · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2012, 12:04 »

Thanks Cory and Microbius,
Read 82 times and 2 responses - I guess I must have stumbled on some sort of secret info.

My gut has been telling me to charge what I want and not worry about losing customers on price.
I haven't been taking any money down because I do want to be able to walk away from the problem customers. However, I have been charging for parts of the final project as I go along. Ex original sketch gets paid for before I do changes or vector etc. Also I am about doubling the price for exclusivity.

You guys kind of confirmed the direction I am choosing - thanks for your time and kind words.

About quantity discounts- I'm on the fence. I would like to keep the RPD on my own site higher and perhaps let the agencies deal with the volume discounts. Not sure where to go on this subject. I'll probably fall in the middle somewhere - charging less than the original price but still more than the royalty on most of the micro sites.

Cory - Is your blog working for you? I am going to join your link exchange just as soon as I can figure out how to reciprocate. I'm not really a blog type of person so maybe a link section on my site. When I get it up I will join in on the other thread.

cthoman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2012, 14:18 »

The blog works decent. I probably should dedicate more time to it, but it's hard to make time for everything in the day.

cidepix · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2012, 15:11 »

Quote from: cthoman on December 18, 2012, 14:18

but it's hard to make time for everything in the day.

So true!

@ chromaco:

- I never worry about them using the comp because I always get %60-%70 of the payment upfront.. So If they are cool with just the 400px comp after paying %70, I will let them go

- I only send the original work "after" the remaining balance is closed.. So I always get %100 of the payment before I send the final job..

- I never do non-exclusive custom work because it's almost never stock worthy.. I don't offer discounts..

- I charge pretty high sums for exclusive custom works, and prefer not to do it If the customer does not meet my requirements..

- Yes, this approach will lose some customers, but at least you know once they accept your terms, you are headache-free..

chromaco · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2012, 15:33 »

@cidepix -
Thanks for the response - I've been illustrating for almost 16 years now and up until now I have been able to avoid the freelance thing. After this long in the print industry I have kind of learned to hate the customers. But now it feels like I can't get away from it. I think I will follow the lead you guys have shown and only do it if the customer is willing to pay what I need to charge.

That is part of the reason I really like Microstock - no deadlines, no nitpicking clients, and I get to choose the subject matter. Although I will say that now that I have my own site I am really starting to see Cory's perspective on the low RPD. I can't get myself to upload to any of the sub sites right now. It just feels wrong. I'm not deleting anything but only a few sites will get my new stuff for a while.

Microbius · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2012, 03:41 »

Quote from: chromaco on December 18, 2012, 15:33

....After this long in the print industry I have kind of learned to hate the customers.....

Yeah tell me about it.
The good thing is that after a certain amount of time freelancing you get a list of clues that a customer is going to be a nightmare to work with, and as a freelancer you can always say no. I still sometimes get caught out though, usually if they are the sort to phone me up rather than emailing me because I feel too guilty to fob them off when they are actually on the phone!