I'm not sure about my pricing...?

XFactorCreative · #1 () 06-24-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi PAP.

I was wondering if my pricing was appropriate (too high? too low?) for logo design. Usually designs go for around 40-70 USD, but I'm not sure if it's correct. I don't want to come off as some overseas sweatshop logo designer (I'm in California, U.S.) but I don't want to overcharge either. How do you guys (and girls) consider my pricing?

P.S. I'm mainly doing freelance design work to see if graphic design is a route I want to take as a major, so I can afford to charge less than professional artists.

Thanks!

AceHigh Pino · #2 () 06-24-2008, 09:54 PM

As long as the work is done in a decent amount of time and it's not being reproduced on any other sites, I think logo design pricing shouldn't be something that comes cheap. I think people on sites like PAP, CAP, and GPWA would normally like to keep design work within the $25 to $75 range (depending on logo and header size and detailedness of course)...which is just about what your pricing now.

You do excellent work bro, PM me if you want some additional work right now actually =)

Graham · #3 () 06-24-2008, 09:57 PM

I think your pricing is reasonable and quite good for the quality that I have seen your produce so far. Though, if you want my honest opinion though, since your portfolio is not really that big I personally feel more comfortable going to places like DP where I can run a contest for the same price and get multiple entries. This is just me though, and I don't mind waiting for things. I think you might have some more success attracting buyers if you offer your buyers 3 completely different styles to choose from, with revisions or offer some kind of money back guarantee where people don't pay unless they are 100% satisfied with your work. That way people aren't worried that they might not get something they like (something that worries me when it comes to a logo). Until you build a bigger portfolio you may have to bite the bullet for a bit and take lower prices, but over time if you are consistently producing high quality your product will sell itself. Produce really good quality and let the market dictate the price. If you aren't selling enough at your current range try some things (like I mentioned above), or drop it a little and see if demand goes up.

Where you would probably be more successful is going after offline business. Advertise on places like craigslist or in local papers. There you will be able to charge way more than just $40-$70. Also, try some sites like youngentrepreneur.com or sites that cater to people with websites, but aren't necessarily knowledgable of all the "sweat shop" type locations where you can get stuff for next to nothing.

I hope this helps!

punchtheclock · #4 () 06-24-2008, 10:12 PM

Prices seem fair, but I agree with some of Graham's points.

I'd rather run a contest for $150 and take submissions for the next month.

mikebrad · #5 () 06-24-2008, 10:50 PM

I have to agree with the pino on this one, I think your prices are very fair and your designs are of good quality. You've done two logos for me and I'm very happy with both of them. I'm not a big digitalpoint guy (full of idiots, if you ask me) so I'm not keen on the whole cheap-ass contest thing. If I were to run a contest for $150 it would be either at sitepoint or 99designs.

I saw your designs long before I hired you and I liked your style. I had every confidence that you would deliver, and you did. I'm a straight-forward type of person, I told you flat out that I did not like a first draft of one of the logos and you adapted immediately. That's called professionalism.

I think Graham's suggestion of scoping out some other forums is a great idea, I know you are a dp'er (not totally full of idiots I guess, lol). If you charged prices similar to what you have charged here, you'd do quite well.

To answer your original question though, I think your prices are right on spot.

Oh, and I hope no one takes offense to the dp comments. I just got really tired of the stupid threads over there like:

Quote:

idiot1: I JUST MADE MY FIRST $0.02 A DAY ON ADSENSE, PM ME AND I'LL SHOW YOU HOW
idiot2: AWESOME JOB, NOW TRY FOR $0.04, LOL

LadyHoldem · #6 () 06-24-2008, 11:04 PM

I have a love/hate relationship with DP, I do use them for logo design, because I'm super picky. Ive bought about 6 logos, I haven't used any.

I bought a header too that I used on a site I sold.

The thing is if I'm as picky as I am, and I try to be as clear as I can.. I think I have better odds that SOMEONE will get my point in a contest.

Frankly though, I think if you pay more, you get more. I get a bunch of people that will together try to grasp my concept in contests, if I ever get a winner, I'd expect to pay more for someone to really put some time and effort into designing me something great. Probably more than $75 to be honest.

To design something fabulous and 100% unique takes time.. but really, you have to decide what an hour is worth to you. When you're lessor known, an hour of your time is though worth less than after you're established.

So all of my blathering here really comes back to cliches involving supply and demand.

XFactorCreative · #7 () 06-24-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

I think your pricing is reasonable and quite good for the quality that I have seen your produce so far. Though, if you want my honest opinion though, since your portfolio is not really that big I personally feel more comfortable going to places like DP where I can run a contest for the same price and get multiple entries. This is just me though, and I don't mind waiting for things. I think you might have some more success attracting buyers if you offer your buyers 3 completely different styles to choose from, with revisions or offer some kind of money back guarantee where people don't pay unless they are 100% satisfied with your work. That way people aren't worried that they might not get something they like (something that worries me when it comes to a logo). Until you build a bigger portfolio you may have to bite the bullet for a bit and take lower prices, but over time if you are consistently producing high quality your product will sell itself. Produce really good quality and let the market dictate the price. If you aren't selling enough at your current range try some things (like I mentioned above), or drop it a little and see if demand goes up.

Where you would probably be more successful is going after offline business. Advertise on places like craigslist or in local papers. There you will be able to charge way more than just $40-$70. Also, try some sites like youngentrepreneur.com or sites that cater to people with websites, but aren't necessarily knowledgable of all the "sweat shop" type locations where you can get stuff for next to nothing.

I hope this helps!

I've seen the people offering multiple concepts but really, design shouldn't really be about choosing from a couple of designs. It's supposed to be coming up with something ground up, making sure the client is totally satisfied with it, and then developing the idea. You can't just throw your weight evenly around with three designs.

And about the 100% guarantee - so far only a member from PAP has requested it. Ridge contacted me for a rush job and apparently my designs didn't quite meet his standards, so I refunded the full $40.00 that I charged him along with the Paypal fees. I should probably post that I offer it though, thanks for pointing that out.

I'm not planning on doing this full time, it's just testing the waters for this line of work, so I don't think I'll be advertising much offline.

Edit: One more quick question. Is it acceptable to post past work of clients directly, or do I need to ask them if I can make it public? I've done quite a bit of PAP work now that should develop my portfolio further.

Graham · #8 () 06-25-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XFactorCreative

I've seen the people offering multiple concepts but really, design shouldn't really be about choosing from a couple of designs. It's supposed to be coming up with something ground up, making sure the client is totally satisfied with it, and then developing the idea. You can't just throw your weight evenly around with three designs.

The multiple designs thing was just a completely random suggestion.... I was just trying to help, not offend you.

XFactorCreative · #9 () 06-25-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

The multiple designs thing was just a completely random suggestion.... I was just trying to help, not offend you.

I wasn't offended, sorry if I came off like I did

Ridge · #10 () 06-25-2008, 05:06 PM

I'll throw in too that the design I need had to blend with somehting else, so it's not that his design was awful, just that it didn't the way it needed to.

After some discussion, we both decided I should probably get the original design to do what I needed, so that is the story there. He sent my refund ASAP and all was good from my POV.. To me that shows that this guys is all about making sure his work is the way the customer wants it. That seems to be rare in this business..

As far as pricing, it looks to me like you are right on track. Good quality, etc. So, stick around and I think you will have a loyal following in the next 6-12 months.

Which reminds me, where is Alance these days?