You're worth more than you're charging. Here's why - RD282

<p>I want to start with a story. A business coach client hired me for a design project about a dozen years ago. He had just finished writing his second book and wanted me to design and format it for him for publication. The project also included an accompanying bookmark and a small website related to the book.</p> <p>I had given him a quote for the project, which he readily accepted, and we got underway.</p> <p>Once the project was completed and paid for, this business coach told me how impressed he was working with me. He said everything went so smoothly that he would have paid three times the amount for the great work I provided him.</p> <p>Now I brushed this statement off as hyperbole from a grateful client. I mean, how many times have you received excellent service somewhere and thought, "I got more than I paid for?"</p> <p>But then he said he wasn't exaggerating and proceeded to explain why he thought that way. And what he said next changed the way I looked at pricing my projects from that day forward.</p> <h2>How do you determine your pricing?</h2> <p>I'll get to what that business coach told me in a moment.</p> <p>One of the most challenging tasks freelance designers or design business owners have is determining what to charge for their services. I mean, how much does a website or a logo cost? It's as arbitrary as asking how long is a piece of string?</p> <p>It never fails. Whatever number you come up with for a design project, you will always wonder if it's too little or too much. Let me put your mind at ease on one of those fronts. "Too much." is never the correct answer to that question. And I'll explain why in a bit.</p> <p>Coming up with applicable fees is difficult because many factors are to consider.</p> <ul> <li>Your level of experience will influence what you charge.</li> <li>The quality of the work you do is also a factor.</li> <li>The type of clients you work with can significantly affect your pricing.</li> <li>Where you live, city, state or province, country all play a part in your pricing str