How much should I charge?
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I know this was covered in the first business class, but now that its a reality, I'm super intimidated! I was approached by a comic artist that runs a magazine for children (all about making and creating comics). He asked if I would be willing to do a cover and maybe some interior content for him. He also asked what my rate would be. I'm super excited but have no idea what my rate should be. I know in a video on Will Terry's Youtube channel he talked to Tyrus about indie publishing. But now that the reality is here I need a little push.
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@ksfabian
I don’t have a ton of experience in this either but based off off of what I have learned from the podcast here’s what u would say. Your price depends on what is being asked of you, the amount of time, the amount of work, and how it will be used. Ask them what their budget is, exactly how many illustrations do they need, are they colored, black and white? What are the deadlines.
I think I recall Will saying in a podcast episode that you should never put out a number before they tell you their budget. -
@Griffin-McPherson I did ask his budget and what he was looking for. He mentioned a cover for an issue to start and potentially more interior content.
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@ksfabian I would say just focus on what the price for the cover should be then. Prices for covers can vary wildly from what I understand. I always hear everyone referring to the Graphic Artist’s Guild handbook for pricing , so maybe pick that up.
https://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Artists-Guild-Handbook-16th/dp/0262542390/ref=asc_df_0262542390/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475795130774&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2244900649282628423&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004989&hvtargid=pla-962317983039&psc=1 -
your Rate could be 35-75 an hour where 75$ and up here in germany is really pro level already
then you take your Rate x the Hours = your Fee
in my clever book it says for a cover its start around 600€ min. up to 2000€
Do you want to tell his budged?
You can always give a small discount ans see it as an oportunity but you dont have to sell yourself below value.
But you also should take a good look at where you at and how much to take in the beginning of your career, it should be fair for both sidesWebsite: www.von-Nimmermehr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/von_nimmermehr_illustration/ -
@Griffin-McPherson Yeah, I thought about that, but in that Tyrus/Will Terry video they mentioned it being bad for most illustrators because it's inaccurate and often is too low for pricing.
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@von_Nimmermehr Good Idea! I remember Lee white said that in the podcast a few times- make the invoice fit the budget by still charging the higher price, but adding the "new client" discount. Thanks!!
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@ksfabian I’ve heard people say that book is the best and heard people say it’s the worst. Other than that book I don’t really know of any good sources for pricing info. Maybe the book could at least be used as a starting point and from there you can just increase the prices
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So I've asked him several times about his budget and he counters with what I charge every time! ahhh! It's my first cover job and I don't want to undercharge but I don't want to scare him off. He's adamant I go first. It's a relatively small press so I'm trying to take that into account.
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@ksfabian that seems a bit frustrating. I would tell him that what you charge is dependent on what the budget is because the budget is a factor the artists must consider because it affects things like scale, style, rendering, and type of illustration.
I’ll reiterate that I have not had to deal with negations like this before so definitely take my advice with a grain of salt. This is just how I think I might approach this situation. -
@ksfabian if you really need to put a number out first then come up with a bottom line. What price would be too low for you to consider working for? Take that number and add some more onto that and maybe that will feel like a more comfortable number.
You could also try getting in touch with other illustrators who have done covers for this magazine and ask what they charged. -
@Griffin-McPherson Thank you so much. I ended up talking to my brother (He's a CFP) and he recommended that when I do my rates, take what I would like to make then add 25-30% because of taxes. He also said to be mindful of how long it takes me to make something and not undercharge. If they can't pay my beginner rates, then they probably wouldn't pay me anyway. He gave a lot of great ideas about LLCs (which currently only cost a $1 in my state)
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@ksfabian I just googled LLC and i never heard of any one around me create a LLC, in Germany it may cost 1€ but you have generate at least 25.000€ as Company Assets. And you are not allowed to just take money out of the business...Thats for Germany though
I don't know how that works in USA (maybe @davidhohn or the guys know more) but i think it's enough to just be a freelancer for now, if you are not making crazy business over there.
Since i don't know what you did talk about, i would be curious why he brought that up? It's a complicated businessmodel if you would just be an illustrator i guess.
Website: www.von-Nimmermehr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/von_nimmermehr_illustration/ -
@von_Nimmermehr LLC's here are just a way to protect yourself from issues should anything happen. I dont think theres a money threshold or restriction.
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@ksfabian Do you have a copy of the Graphic Artists' Guild Handbook for Pricing and Ethical Guidelines? It's a lifesaver in situations like this. When I don't know where to start, I can look it up and say, "well, the GAG handbook reports that artists in X market get paid between $X-X for those projects," and then I ask for something in middle and see what happens.
Additionally, tomorrow (Wednesday 2/8) at 11:30 EST there's a webinar on the subject of pricing offered by Nate and Salli of @illustratorscircle on Instagram. The zoom class costs $30, and I'll be there! Anything to help me get more comfortable with asking for what I'm worth.
