As much as we all probably hate to admit it, without money you starve and someone else gets all the f'n cupcakes! So when it's tight things get ugly. I'm noticing lately that people are starting to really get angry about this recession/depression and they are taking it out on us poor service people. I have never had so many customers try to talk me down in price and/or up in free samples. I also have had some really strange clients that just dropped off the face of the Earth after ordering. I think people just accept bids in case as placeholders, then get it somewhere else cheaper. Either they don't realize that we actually take time to get things done and fit them into our schedules or they don't care.
If you want to find out what my work/time is really worth on the internet market just take a look at the many freelance sites. It's completely horrifying how little some people charge for things. I used to get down on Etsy clients who wanted the whole shebang of a logo for $30. Now I see people making a logo for literally $5! How the heck am I going to compete with that? Why even work, I could get more if I just sat here and asked my husband for it! lol I did have to lower my prices like crazy to stay in business and it makes me sick when people want a ton of something for nothing and don't understand that I actually do create these things. I mean, the computer ain't gonna just answer my email and pop out a design! lol
On the bright side, my son went to his High School sign up today and all was well. I dropped him off per his request, although parents were allowed to stay. I find that weird because when we were in school the parents were never around. What 14 yr. old kid wants his 39 yr. old mom talking to him in front of girls? Which is how I found the cutie when I picked him up! Ahhh, if I'm going to get old and ugly, at least my kid will be happy.
The countdown is now on, only 1 week before moms everywhere enjoy a 9 month vacation!
Thanks for reading,
T♥
The countdown is now on, only 1 week before moms everywhere enjoy a 9 month vacation!
Thanks for reading,
T♥
2 comments:
Hey, new to your blog from Etsy :)
I'm a fellow graphic designer. I know what you mean by people making prices so low! My shop offers banners for really friggin' cheap, because before I decided on prices I went through Etsy to see what the competition is and came up with an average for a newbie to even make anything over $1.
It makes me mad too that people basically give it away, but the problem is I'd rather have $5 than $0.
I've also had 2 people drop off the face of the earth that wanted a design by me. We didn't even get to the designing part. They just take time to bother me about what they want and make a plan for price or trade and then they're just gone. I've even had 2 go away after they are in love with the design and I'm in process of making final changes.
Good thing I watermark previews! lol
I am unfortunately all too familiar with the difficulties of underpricing and trying to find compromises in this tough economy. I work with a lot of freelancers so I'm often stuck in the middle and find myself struggling to figure a way to make everyone happy.
I sympathize with our designers and understand that everyone wants to be paid fairly for a job well done. After all, if I were in their shoes I would feel the same way! So it is a constant challenge to come up with fair and workable compromises, but at the end of the day I like to think that our freelancers know I'm on their side and will always try to work with them to come up with the best solution.
So chin up, there are still people out there who DO care and want to see everyone treated fairly ;)
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