I agree Kristie....setting a price list does a LOT to ease the anxiety. It is also a good idea to break everything down. This way it is easy to add up costs if someone wants to deviate from the usual order process. For instance, I've encountered customers who don't need a "print", and would rather have a digital image. This saves part of the processing cost, and because I have it priced seperately, I can calculate a total in a snap. This is also handy when dealing with friends and family. I don't mind doing the work, if I have the time, put they do pay for the materials, and printing.
You may find that a few of your friends/family will continually ask for favors. A nice way to handle this is to barter.

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http://www.pbase.com/vhansen

I agree with what the others have said. Also, depending on which state you're in, Graphic Artists pay scale ranges around $50-$125 an hour. I whole heartedly agree about not selling yourself short. Perhaps coming up with a price list.. but also take into consideration any "custom" work you will have to do that is outside of your template/designs etc.

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~Shawn~ My Gallery

Thanks everyone! These are all such great suggestions. I had been getting discouraged b/c I take so much time away from my kids to do these "jobs" that I felt like it was not worth my time anymore. I have decided to set a "per each" price and discount from there if and when needed. I just need the courage to actually charge it, lol! My "dream job" is to do this kind of stuff on the side at home to make a lil extra money instead of going out and getting a "real job" lol... Thanks again!

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I dont have any suggestions but good luck, have fun and let us know how things work our

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Just one more thought. When my sister started her business she got some great help from the SBA and most areas have a local office. They give good straight advice for the small business owner including pricing and legal advice.

Might want to try there too... If nothing else my sister said she made some good contacts she could bounce ideas off of.. Good Luck and let us know how you do. I'm getting ready to make the jump myself.

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Susan
Outer Banks Foto Art

I've started making DVD movies of a mixture of Home movies and digital pictures (often scrapped ones) set to music. I'd love to do this for a living and spend most of my time doing projects for other people (unpaid) it's hard because I get so excited and love doing it so I know it is hard to charge people you know. Most people have no idea the time some things take. Good luck!
Aimee

There has been a lot of great advice. My advice for you is once you've decided on your prices, make up a price list and keep a copy with you (purse/car). You will have "friends" ask you to do projects for them and they will expect you to do it for nothing. It takes as much time to do these projects for friends as it does for real clients. You can always cut your prices for them and then they will feel special because you are giving them a discount. But, if you have a pricelist you can say to them, "Sure, this is what I charge for a project like that."

I've gotten sooo tired of "friends" wanting my dh to tune their pianos for free. The price is $65 whether you call us from our ad in the phone book or you've known me you're whole life!

I believe in service and helping people out, but when it comes to the things you do as a business, always treat them as a business. I'm a bookkeeper/secretary by profession and if someone needs me to type a school report, it's $10 an hour. If they need me to fold their laundry it's free. But, if I were a housekeeper rather than a bookkeeper, the report typing would be free and the folded laundry would cost ya.

Good luck,
Michelle