Why you should pay artists like myself money.

Concerning topics and questions I’m often asked about.

In this particular day and age when so many artists will work for lower prices, I generally charge enough to earn an honest living at what I love.

This seems to cause some confusion in some of my potential clients, and for understandable reasons. Why, after all, should you pay me so much money to build you
a website when you can go to any number of sites on the web and find artists willing to work for next to free?

These artists are often students or artists working from overseas, and often are not educated about the local market and desperate (yes, we all are sometimes) for experience. What they don’t realize is that by charging so little for their services (and they ARE worth more!), they are devaluing the rest of the artists already established and trying to earn a decent living.

I personally have a four year education that goes beyond what many artists can claim, and a passion for what I do. I handle each job on an individual, personal basis. I meet with my clients in person. I revise the work until you are thrilled with the design. I will help you learn to update the site if desired. I am always available for questions and updates at a reasonable rate, should you need me.

I like to think that my list of former happy clients and my willingness to be there for each and every one of them is a great reason.

I also know that what I do is a skilled service, and I worked hard to get where I am. And so did many of my fellow artists.

If you’re an artist, please consider my words and ask yourself what you’re worth to the world. Investigate your local market, and find out what’s reasonable. Believe it or not, even if you don’t feel enough self confidence that you should charge for your artwork, charge market value. No response? Lower your prices slightly. After all, wouldn’t you rather make a living doing what you love, than doing what you love at night and serving coffee at some cafe during the day?

If you’re a potential client, understand that I charge what I do out of pride- pride for my profession. Artists are skilled, intelligent human beings who deserve to earn a decent living at what they love, and by charging what I do, I am helping that to happen in the Denver area.

I hope you’ll support my decision, and feel your money well spent in the end!

Below are some links to good articles and resources on the subject. (No, I’m not alone in this thinking…)

• The Pricing Wormhole- Thanks to graphicPUSH for summarizing my thoughts almost exactly!
• Selling Yourself — Market Advantages of a Freelancer - A great article on the advantages of hiring freelance artists- and the advantages we should mention as freelance artists.
• Professional Conduct - A good article that explains why taking your target clients into account when pricing your work is important (and no, it’s not just to get more money, folks.)
• How Much Do I Charge? - Another great article that discusses things you should think about when pricing your work (and things which should be considered by the designer you might be hiring!)
• Coping With Clients Who Use Your Concept Design—Without Paying - As horrible as it sounds, this happens all the time. How to protect yourself as an artist. This may also be enlightening to those who want to know why good artists don’t do any work without a contract.
• More than Just Spec: The Curse of the “Just That Cool” Project - Testimony to the state of the market. Both sides need to have the correct expectations- you should get what you pay for!
• In Their Own Words: Why These Designers are Against Speculative Design Competitions - Go forth, and educate yourself.
• Why Speculative Work is Unethical - This doesn’t just apply to graphic design- another great article.
• How to Hire and Work with a Graphic Designer - Good points for both a customer and a designer to think about.
• How to Ask for and Get the Fees You Deserve - More good info for those who aren’t sure how to price themselves.