SO here's a new one... - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

skbohanon · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006

to me anyway.

I've seen all the posts about what to charge for scrapping someone a page, but would anyone ever consider charging for "can you come to my house and teach me how to do this??".

Now, before people start throwing tomatoes at me... I'm not really big on charging for helping someone since so many people have helped me along the way and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
But if it gets to be a repetitive question and it's taking time away from my family is it something I should consider?
I mean, aren't there digi scrapping classes out there that you've got to pay for?
How more valuable would it be to have someone sit down beside you and coach you?

Anyhoo - just a thought. Looking to get some feedback!

Thanks so much!!!
Susan

Tracey R (Haley64) · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006

Well I would say you are offering a service that someone wants and/or needs...!!!

It's not like you are just going to bust into people's homes, make them sit down and learn digital scrapbooking and then MAKE them pay you!

How many programs do you know and what are you going to do if they want to use a really funky one...make them buy a certain software? What if their computers are not up to size specs? LOL And have you ever sat down with someone totally computer illerate or design flunkies? LOL
I only say this because I have a gal I know and she wanted me to show her how I did this, I was on my computer, with my stuff I have, my PSP, my folders, my organizational system and I about reached over and slapped her!! ROFL She didn't get/learn/understand a darn thing and I was there going through it step by baby step explaining as I went!
Now she wants PSCS2 and wants me to teach her how to use it...She also wants me to come over and set up her folder structure for her...no how obsured it that!!! Not enough money to deal with that on this earth...well maybe! But I would feel crazy asking for that amount...sorry rambling

arti-bytes · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006

Hard question... but you should have a set fee in your mind for when this question is asked of you. If you make it on the "high side", and they still want you to do it, you will know how serious they are. The local Community College paid me $20/hour for teaching an all-day paper scrapbooking class a few years ago.
You will also need to set out a lesson plan for each class, as there is just too much to learn in one session. There is so much to consider... and plan... I would rather teach the lessons through a computer store or something like that (which is a possibility for me in the future). Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

skbohanon · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006

Very good points Colleen!
Thank you!!

I doubt very seriously I'd do it, just curious to know what other's thoughts were.

rigdonia · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006

I know what you mean - I have been given a tremendous amount of free and friendly assistance over the years, and it's nice to "give back". I think the point for you, and maybe this is what you are trying to figure out, is when does it become too much. And if you are anything like me, you feel wierd asking people for money to do something that you love. But I think the others are right in saying that you provide an extremely valuable service. I think you are on the right track in considering charging for this before you get taken advantage of and feel bitter about it perhaps. My dh, for example, is a computer programmer and people continually assume that he will want to come over to their house and fix their little computer problems after work on his personal time. Well he does not want to do it and mostly just refuses except for family lol, but I would think that before you start feeling like he does, set it up so that you get some rewards too. You don't have to get rich off of it, but if you are a good teacher, by all means, you should be paid for that!

4theluvofscrapn · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2006

Believe me asking for FREE help happens in every profession. I am a teacher it happens with tutoring questions. Will you look at my childs (whatever it happens to be) and give your opinion, etc. It also happens with my husband too. It is in every profession and every hobby. I am sure there will be times that you help someone and not be expected payment. However, it is a hard call as to when this can be too much. i think the new program and folder organization is a bit much. One technique or suggestions on creating sure, more than that can be overwhelming and take over from your own creations! This is of course just my opinion.

janetg · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2006

I think this is something you can charge for. Like any other skill, there are people you have relationships that you do things for for free, and others that you are willing to provide a service to for a fee. I think you first need to decide whether or not you are comfortable charging for tutoring by the hour (and making sure you provide value in each hour), or whether you want to set up a one-on-one class with a structure and a set list of what topics will be covered for that fee in a certain time-frame. If you are tutoring, you need to be careful that you stay focused, and are professional so that your client perceives the value she receives for the time spent. You also need to make it clear that you can't guarantee how much will be accomplished in a given time period because it depends on her computer, the number of files she has, the number of questions she has, etc, but that you will guarantee that you will be making progress in each session. Also, you can tell her it will also depend on how much "homework" she accomplishs between sessions, and leave her with an assignment(s) to complete between sessions. For example, if you are organizing files, and need to assign keywords to each file, you can begin doing this at one session, teach her how, and give her an assignment to complete this (or complete a certain number) before your next session.