posted
Just figured I'd share a bit of info to those who may not be getting paid for their sketches still. Every now and then, we see a post about someone getting pissed off that the customer STOLE thier sketch. For about 3 years now I have asking for and getting paid a sketch fee before any effort is put into a drawing. And I have no problem getting paid either. I love those customers who say " draw me up a couple sketches and let's see what you got". I don't go down that road.
99% of the customers undertand that time is money and we don't work for free, also it weeds out the ones that aren't serious.
In the past 3 years I have only one job I did a sketch for and didn't do the job, but I got paid for my drawing. I always show my portfolio, to prove we are good and professional, that way they feel comfortable that we will do a good job on thier work,
I'd like to see how others get paid for their sketches and maybe this will help others who aren;t doing it or have a hard time with it.
I get $50 for a black and white line drawing and $75.00 for color. usually we take it off the total cost, because we always have to do a drawing anyway for a job. I will state that they pay only for the drawing and not the design.
Have some fun with this one.
------------------ Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA bob@creativesignworks.com
"Some people's kids"
Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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My sales always fall into two main categories; those who come to me and those I go to. It is always far better when they seek me out. That way my rules always apply, unquestioned. I have one (web designer) friend who believes having the client come to you is so important that he refuses to make the first call. Only if they call him first will he follow up on a sale. I have even had him refuse referrals. "Have them call me" he says. Arrogant or brilliant, it works for him.
When they come to me, the first step I take is establishing a budget for their project. Once they have spoken a willing price bracket, getting a design deposit is pretty easy - just ask for it. In cases of a whole new image where a logo is involved, there can be a lucrative second product to package into the deal. The image package can take too many different forms to bog down this reply with the details.
What I really wanted to address in this reply was the other type of sale, where I am going to them. Much harder, but sometimes you gotta do it, when work is slow, or a project is so damn intriguing you want to make it happen. In these kind of sales you find yourself approaching someone who is not shopping for a sign, wasn't planning on spending any money, isn't compelled to commit to any price bracket, and doesn't know you from Adam. Even if you succeed in getting them interested in looking at some upgrade possibilities, it is going to be tough to add in "Oh, by the way, there is a $50/hr sketch fee".
So, at least for the initial round of sketches, you will be hanging out on a limb. Roping them into a controlled situation where they are under house rules is tricky. At any point up to where money has passed hands or a contract has been signed, they can say "Nah, forget it" and you lost your time investment. It's not too bad for small jobs, but when it is a particularly large or complicated project, it can be quite a balancing act - giving enough to keep them interested, without getting so much time invested into the sale that you can't walk away from it.
The key (for me) seems to be getting the client excited about the project. As soon as they can say "Yup, I like where this is headed", you can start to impliment the design fee rules and get a realistic budget set. Then you'll be on more solid ground.
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