I find it a little humorous that as I switch to full time designing and consulting (instead of hands-on building) I can charge more than when I used to do the actual fabrication work.
My friends and colleagues remind me that I'm charging for the years and years of experience I have gained over the years. Just the same, it is taking some getting used to.
I also have to think differently for I have to charge for time spent on a job and it can't necessarily be measured by actual pieces fabricated in that time. Much of my time is spent in meetings with clients as we discuss and review the design work at hand.
In my studio, among a collection of hundreds of wonderful things, I have an old parking meter I bought years ago in Welland, Ontario (when I was painting a mural there).
When a new client comes to my studio to discuss a job I drop in a nickel and turn the dial. I explain that the first little while is on me, but when the time runs out on the meter I will start charging them my normal fee. Its a nice, friendly way to let them know that my time is valuable to both of us.
I'm finding this new business as a design consultant exciting and challenging. And after a couple of years getting it going there is no looking back!
-dan
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Dan, Great idea with the Parking Meter !!!!!! "This leaves no question as to the value of your time." Shep'
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
I love the meter concept! hahahaaa!
I can also relate to what you are saying with regards to design/consult and fabrication.
The core of my business has always been design. I finally made the switch from calling myself a "sign" studio to a "creative" studio in order to give that even more emphasis.
Since I've started consciously separating the sign design cost out from the sign fabrication cost, instead of lumping them all together, I've noticed that it's given both more value.
More and more folks come to me with design jobs now, which are then incorporated in other ways ... including, but not limited to, signs.
For me, it has really paid to invest my time in educating my customer of my work, helping them to understand the terms of my operations and then, most importantly, leaving them thrilled with the results.
The domino effect from practicing this approach thru the years keeps reaping me more informed, higher quality word of mouth referrals landing at my doorstep. You know ... the ones that "get it".
And that's comforting. Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Just how much time does your client get for your nickle?
Less dramatic, but I suppose an egg timer or one of those wind up bell gizmos would work.
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This is off your topic, but a friend of mine fixed up an old parking meter for his cheap-assed brother to work with his phone. You have to put in a penny and turn the knob to close the circuit. If he forgets to keep feeding in pennies and the knob gets to the end it shuts off the phone. Ha ha - and this guy HATES to have to keep feeding in pennies! It works for in and out calling so phone conversations with him are always very short.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I can't see my boss doing that! It seems with your experience you wouldn't have to do that. Though it is a good idea to get the point across to the lookie lou's. Rick
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