Hi everyone, I had no idea where to put this topic so I just chose the general area. Anyway, for those of you who do "jobs" on the side... how much do you charge? Lately I've been getting very discouraged b/c with the jobs that I've done, I spend a LOT of my time and I feel like I'm hardly making anything! For example, right now, I'm working on a wedding. Here's what I'm doing:

150 5x4 save the dates
300 5x7 photo invites w/ vellum overlays
150 wine bottle labels
40 table tents (1 8x10 sheet cut down the middle to make 2 double sided photo tents)
? bridal shower invitations
? programs (for the wedding day)
and ? DVD's with cases

Sounds like a lot, huh? lol! But it IS fun. If there is anyone out there that would have any idea of how much I should charge, or can point me in the direction of a website I can compare to, please let me know! Thanks! Any and all help GREATLY appreciated!

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Wow Marsha! That's a lot - of work and great ideas! I had no idea. Well I don't know how much to tell you to charge, but you want to first of all make a list of your supply costs and figure how much time it will take. Just the invites alone could be worth a hundred dollars or more. Go to an invitation website and price them out. Then you might add a little because these are custom-made. On the other hand, you also need to decide how much you want the work. With web design, I have worked fairly cheap because I like it and would be doing it anyway lol. Also, it's a good way to make a name for yourself and you can build a client base and raise your rates later, which I also did! I hope this helps and congrats on such a cool project!

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Dianne Rigdon

Thanks Dianne! I've already priced my DVD projects (so far I've done 3 DVD slideshows complete with custom booklet inserts and cases) so I told her the price for those. And I looked up the prices for the wine labels (one website charges .95 EACH! and they look cheesy!) So I guess I'll look around some more. I have a hard time charging b/c I know if I charged a 'fair' competitive price, no one would be able to afford it... Graphic Design is so stinkin expensive lol! Anyway, I'll let you know what happens...

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The jobs I get like those are usually "favors," for brothers and sisters in the church...All sorts of favors, I have yet to secure a paying gig yet! Once my pastor did offer to pay for the ink and paper for baptism certificates...but compared to all of the other things I have done for the last 4 weddings...the baptism certificates are the least amount of work! Have you figured out what it will COST YOU? Perhaps take that figure and double it, most people triple it though, to compensate them for design time. We live in a very, how should I say, poor is an accurate word, community. No one can afford fancies and frillies, so most things like you are doing, in our area, wind up being favors from friends. My sister is in a larger community, and my parents are paying for her entire wedding, and she's even getting these kinds of favors to cut costs...

Let us know how it goes for you, $0.95 per wine bottle label doesn't seem high to me, unless you are doing hundreds of them...I would assume they are the 6 to a sheet shipping labels? Or are you hand cutting?

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From my own personal experience, I know this is a tough aspect of being in business for yourself. Calling around, and finding out what others charge is a good way to get an idea for pricing. Another way to look at pricing....calculate your costs, then add your hourly rate (what you would be willing to take as a salary if a company hired you).
Don't sell yourself short. Many people equate low prices with low quality, and will shy away from a price that's are too low. Also, if you price yourself too low, you may find that the "fun" loses it's appeal when you start getting a lot of work, and are not really making anything for all your efforts. There are people who are willing to pay for quality service/products, even if you think the price is steep.

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http://www.pbase.com/vhansen

Thanks for all the advice! Vikki, I know what you mean about my job losing the "fun" b/c of too low prices. I work hard on the projects that I do. I treat each one as if I was doing something for myself. I am somewhat of a perfectionist so I will sometimes spend hours on a project (depending on what it is...) And Amy, I also do what you do. I love to be a blessing so most of the invitations and and announcements that I've done have either been for free or for a very LOW cost. Ever since I first came to my church (been baptized 5 years as of Sunday! ) I've had a great conviction from charging bros/sis' in the church. There's a greater blessing from helping them out. But either way, I am still learning and I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. (btw, the labels are 6 to a sheet & I will be cutting the invites and RSVP cards.) I ended up charging her a fairly low price b/c they are young and can't really afford a whole lot. AND, I didn't quote her a price before I started so it was kind of my fault for agreeing to do so much w/o first giving her a price. Oh well. This has all been a learning experience for me. Again, I GREATLY appreciate all the advice! I love this site!

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The great advantage to doing a wedding, is when you do the next one, you already have templates for the next one . I have been thinking about doing this very thing, let me know what you come up with.

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Becky
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To.

Hey Marsha

First a little disclaimer - while I really think that all of these are great ideas (and most are not my own)...I have yet to be able to apply them to myself I just finished created more *complimentary* wedding invites - LOL!

I agree so much with what Vikki mentioned....ALOT of times - low prices are VERY closely associated with low quality. In the photography world...it is very well known that people seem to believe that by paying more - they get more quality - and obviously - that is very often true. They also seem to think that if prices are too "cheap" - then the quality is probably not the best. So, by simply having HIGH prices - the photographer prices herself (or himself) out of the range of those looking for "cheap" portraits and immediately sets herself up for a high-paying clientele. Also, many times, higher prices are associated with confidence - which you should have no problem with - I've seen your "stuff" Gosh - I have no idea if I am explaining this well or not!

Anyway - with that said - I guess my best advice is to charge what you feel comfortable with. I PERSONALLY view any time spent away from my family, friends or other life/social obligations to be very precious, and therefore, very expensive - LOL! Meaning, it has to be worth my while.

One thing I do know is that by having SET (printed) prices - you will alleviate alot of the stress and awkardness associated with telling prospective clients (friends and family included) your pricing plans. You could always set your prices a little higher than you are even comfortable with (for strangers)...and then offer a friends/family discount of 25% or whatever you deem fair. That way - for strangers - you will get the price you need for your time/talent - but at the same time - will feel like you are doing your friends/family a favor - even while charging.

Also VERY MUCH agree with what others said about before long it will just become a JOB and will no longer feel like fun - especially if you get to the point that you feel you have been taken advantage of. So...start early with your plan...one that you feel good about...and go from there!

I hope my rambling has made a little sense and has helped at least a bit!

Kristie