posted
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
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8771 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Dan, Great idea with the Parking Meter !!!!!! "This leaves no question as to the value of your time." Shep'
-------------------- Arvil Shep' Shepherd Art by Shep' -------- " Those who dance are thought to be mad by those who cannot hear the music " Posts: 1281 | From: Mt Airy NC | Registered: Mar 2001
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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.
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
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.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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