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New to Motion Graphic Pricing — Need Help
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Conversely… What about someone who knew exactly what to do, had invested in superfast machines, owned an extensive collection of software and plug-ins, and could do the job well and quickly? Would that pro be justified in billing more than the actual hours it took? I say yes.
When I bought my house, I complained to my uncle about the huge commission the realtor got for just a few hours of work. The uncle (also a realtor) defended the fee; my realtor, he said, had invested many hours learning how to match client and house, and keeping up with the available inventory. I should have been all the happier that he got the job done quickly, for my sake.
Later, I looked for another house with another realtor, who spent dozens of hours with me, and never did find me a house. He wasn’t a very good realtor, he got ZERO fee, and I got ZERO house. I paid nothing. But it took me weeks to spend nothing, so in a way, the second realtor turned out to be much more expensive.
I think a seasoned pro who does a “two-hour job” in 30 minutes would be justified in spending an hour doing computer maintenance, and billing for 1.5 hours.
Bob C
MacPro 2 x 3GHz dualcore; 10 GB 667MHz
Kona LHe
Sony HDV Z1
Sony HDV M25U
HD-Connect MI
Betacam UVW1800
DVCPro AJ-D650 -
It kind of reminds me of the old saw:
The manager of a manufacturing plant was unable to solve a mechanical breakdown, so he sent for the retired engineer who had installed the machinery. Following a brief inspection, the engineer took a hammer and hit a pipe. The problem was solved.
The next day, the engineer submitted a bill for $1,000 to a horrified manager. “$1,000 to whack a pipe?!?!” So the retired engineer explained, “it’s only $1.00 for hitting the pipe. The other $999 is for knowing where to hit it.”
For what it’s worth, eh?
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http://www.geniusmonkeys.com
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It’s a question that would be impossible to answer fairly, because it completely depends on dozens of factors such as skill level, local market, competition, economic conditions, timing etc.
The issue usually starts to get emotionally charged because people who are in a hiring position read a poster’s lack of knowledge about rate as a lack of experience, and suggest they ask for a fairly low rate. Freelancers, on the other hand, tend to suggest the poster charge a much higher rate that gives personal need much more weight than factors like skill and speed. It becomes a standoff not unlike the Mac/PC debate.
I was a freelancer for 5 years and now I am in charge of hiring – from this dual-perspective, I think you had better really, really know how to deliver high quality work if you are going to charge people $125/hour, regardless of market and other factors. Sure one could argue that you need X amount to live comfortably and pay your taxes, etc. but no one, myself included, is guaranteed a living wage “just because.” You must be competitive either in price or quality if you expect to lead a comfortable living.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
good advice Mark. It’s OK to learn on the job and charge for it. Just weigh what you already know with what you spent time learning and figure out a fair amount of hours. 125 per hour is not at all unreasonable if you are good at what you do.
If I spend 3-4 hours figuring out how to achieve a look or effect that I did not know how to do before the client approached me, I may charge 1/2 (say 2) the hours for the initial discovery period.
If we stop learning the craft does not progress. Market prices and demand determine what people are willing to pay for our services. as long as it is reasonable clients have no problem paying for something new and innovative even if you it requires a learning curve
pec
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I think a seasoned pro who does a “two-hour job” in 30 minutes would be justified in spending an hour doing computer maintenance, and billing for 1.5 hours.
Maybe, maybe not….
I think what it comes down to *is* market, and *knowing* your market. Spend some time researching what other folks in your market are charging for similar services… the bigger houses will be higher, since customers are also paying for the Leather Sofa, and the Bagel Tray, and the Pool Table, etc….
I think to say that “market doesn’t matter” is to miss a big part of the equation…. here in LA, $125 puts you in with the small fish, one-man/two-man shops, etc…. but, if you’re living in Peoria, doing local/regional car spots, I don’t know if $125 would work in that market.
Know your market, know your market…. and know your market. You need to know what the guy/gal down the street is charging, and how good he/she is… I’ll bet that your client (if it’s a first-time client) *has already* called the guy down the street – but there’s probably an objection somewhere… which is why he’s talking to you!
Christian Glawe editor/compositor christianglawe.com Read my blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/blog/111 Pain is temporary… film is forever.
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im doing a 3 minutes project in after effects, im doing all the images , because im the illustrator, im doing all the animation because i am the animator, and finally doing the motion graphics in after effects combining all of it….so the final price should be 3 times expensive?
if i charge a flat rate of 2000 per each 30 sec would it be fair ?
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[lixandro cordero] “so the final price should be 3 times expensive?”
I think you’ll do a whole lot better with your clients if you simply charge them by the time it takes you to complete the job rather than by charging them a fee times three because you’re performing three different functions.
Wearing several different hats is the way things work now more often than not. So, don’t get caught up in trying to get paid by the credit or you’ll probably make enemies.
If you want to charge a license or usage fee for your artwork, that has merit and I could see that argument as being valid.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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David Roth Weiss
https://my.creativecow.net/278
what dictates price tag of the usage/license fee?
thanks in advance.
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