No Free Art
One of the biggest hurdles for any new artist to jump is pricing their work. If you underprice it, you risk being undervalued. If your work is overpriced, you risk seeming haughty or bougie.
Photo by Mike Andre
How do you find the happy medium?
Find a number that you can say with confidence and that allows you to earn a profit.
Before you blurt out a number the next time someone views your work or sends an inquiry about your services, consider the following:
What life experiences shaped how you create? For instance, I wrote my first book while processing my divorce. Though writing was cathartic, my readers connected with my story because of my vulnerability.
The investments you have made to perfect your craft. Have you purchased a DSLR camera, lights, and editing software to ensure your clients’ photos looked their best? Divide that investment into 50 so that your next 50 clients would have paid for your equipment or related educational experience.
Do a peer assessment. What type of packages are your peers or industry equals offering at specific rates? Look closely at the amount of time and deliverables and find what feels right for you.
Photo by Mike Andre
Once you have settled on a number, add tax; especially if you are a woman! As a rule of thumb, take the number you are comfortable with and multiply it by 1.5. This starting number will help you to get closer to what men are paid for the same service.
Remember, neither your ART or your HEART are for free!
