Design tip: As a freelancer how much should I charge?

What do I charge for my work?

After talking to a friend of mine who is just starting in graphic design (check out her awesome work at Natasha Designs), I decided it was necessary to give you my opinion on this subject based on my own experiences. For me, coming up with a price list was the hardest thing in the world to do. Forget trying to make a logo or designs, this right here topped everything. I read chapters in some graphic design business books, asked my teachers for help, looked online in group discussions, checked YouTube, but at the end of the day, I still felt uncertain.

Price?!

One reason why it's so hard to make a decision on how much to charge, is because there is no set price on any of the work that we do. If anyone tells you that there is a set price for all designers, then they are lying. You can read all the articles and guides that you want and try to follow another designers example but as a freelancer, nothing is set in stone. You have to make sacrifices. If you need money to pay rent and the only client you get can only pay half, then that's better than nothing at all, in my opinion. The best thing to do is get a mentor who has been in the same shoes you have been and learn what you can from them.

Know what Minimum Wage is

Just a good tip...you want to charge more than minimum wage. Make no mistake, the kind of service we do is a crucial factor for businesses around the world so don't ever think otherwise. Now here in the US, it is $7.25 where I'm at and if you are here in the states as well, go to the United States Department of Labor and see for yourself.

Know your Worth

This factor in determining your prices is extra crucial. You have to be confident in your skills when you make your prices. If you don't know what you are worth, then you need to re-evaluate your life and the career you chose. Uncertainty can lead to epic failure sometimes, just remember that.

Price Range Examples

If you are managing content for a client and they put you in charge of all printed media, which includes books, newspaper and magazine articles. Now the client already has a particular format they want to use, they just need you to make sure everything is placed and set where it needs to be. For me, I'd consider that an office position so for someone that has that kind of position, $10-$15 per/hr would be an okay range to start if you are a beginner. Those type of projects typically are very easy to learn because they already have a system in place but it just consumes a lot of time.

Now let's get a little deeper. You have some experience under your belt after moving on from the content management position and now have a new client. This client wants you to create logos, flyers, business cards, and everything else for their corporate branding. I'd say you should at least double the price of the starting project aka, the content management job, because the amount of time, research, and work put in will be doubled, if not more. This is the part that young, new designers don't understand. Don't just go out there and charge people $50 for everything. Take account of the type of work you do and the amount of work you put in it. If you have to take an office kind of position, look up the salaries that they make and compare with yours.

If you feel like you are the best, then go ahead and charge an arm and a leg, you just better be able to prove that you are to all your clients.

The Family and Friends

Now for those of you who aren't close with your family or friends, I know you will probably charge them the same price that you would charge anybody else. To me, I think you should go ahead give them a discount or throw in something for free and that's it. Friends and family can always help you along the way so why not give back some?

Download the Worksheet

Hourly Rate Worksheet

This worksheet provided by AIGA will help you figure out just how much money you need in order to run your freelance business.