If you can have a really open conversation about prices, and be honest about the value of your work, then you’ll do really well. My absolute favorite clients have been people who can afford to really let me explore all of the best options available. It never seems to be about the money, it’s just better to work with people who value you, and respect you.

Plus, the more clients you have with higher budgets, the more time you have to think about their needs.

I know it’s hard for freelancers who are starting out, but good clients bring more good clients. Bad ones bring more bad ones.

You mentioned in your initial response to the client that they could only pay 50% if they weren’t happy with the designs.

Do you always mention this when first dealing with new clients? If so, do you get burned often because of it?

I’m assuming that if they don’t like the designs you don’t actually give them any original files that they could use, just that you’ve put 100% of the time and effort to only 50% of the quoted price in return.

How is it going in Carrot C.?

Although this was not the case in your situation, often times when a business comes to a designer looking for a “deal”, that business does not understand the value of branding and professional logo design. This is not the type of client a designer would want to work with. It’s important to hold your price because in the end you will get better clients, have more fun and make more money. I’m sure this article will help many new designers.

Should have read
I never lower my prices for my clients using the same tactics that you used

I must been light-headed from all of the coffee i drank yesterday.. aha. I meant to say that although I don’t have awards under my belt yet, I do explain the value of my work and the reason I charge what I change and so on.

I have only lowered prices for family, and thats because its family and I have to – i ALWAYS – however – send them an invoice for the total amount it would have cost with the discount taken so that they understand what the real value is though

Regards
Rupam

I do want to point out that asking people if they’d handle it differently will not produce any sort of real discussion when you reveal that despite the conflict the result was a positive outcome. Most people are results oriented.

A more interesting post, would have been to cut off the post at your last email (“Thanks for your kind words”) and leave everyone hanging, generate discussion on the post and then reveal the results in a follow up.

Preston,
I also find it interesting to see the business side of design, something that is often overlooked in blog posts. Thanks for the link to your other post, you make some valid points though I do believe revisions should still be stated in a contract, at least for peace of mind.

Leighton,
I’ve just started to really feel the burn of taking on too much work, (combining both full time and freelance) so it has been even more important for me to stand by my rates… I only have so much time in the week. And nice point about stressing design value to the client.

Ryan,
It’s not so much about hassling, but rather just doing what comes naturally to most when it comes to money; bargaining. But like that old saying goes “If you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.”

Nuno,
The portfolio is the linchpin of a designer, if you don’t have a strong one, how will a client know what type of work you produce? This is what you should capitalise on even if you do not have awards or other collateral to back it up.

Anything Graphic,
Pricing is not something I discuss openly on my blog, my apologies for this.

Lindsay,
Could you please clarify this sentence: “I NEVER lower prices using the same tactics that you do.”

Like any profession, if you are good and/or can market yourself well, you’re most likely going to have some form of work coming in.

Jeff,
Like I said to Lindsay, if you are good and/or can market yourself well, you’re most likely going to have some form of work coming in. I also agree with you about clients being new to working with designers, even more reason to educate the client (even though I hate saying that).

Great post – interesting to see how your conversations go. I agree with Leighton as well – the clients who try and talk you down are almost always a nightmare to work with. However, some clients are new to working with designers and just don’t know the value of the services. In instances like these, it’s definitely good to educate the client.

As with everything too, it comes down to the quality of your work. If you have impressive work & happy clients, you can use these to your advantage to justify your costs.

Thanks for another great read.