Another freelance question by Jeph

**Jeph** · 01-20-2006, 05:35 AM

OK, being completely wet behind the ears here, I need some advice. I'm doing some preliminary sketches for an ad agency for a logo that will be used nationally. Just to see if my "style" is what thier looking for. They have asked
what my "rates" are. Do people actually charge for preliminary sketches? I never have...but I've never been much of a "professional" freelancer before.

But it IS something I spent a few hours on, so I guess I was working there for a bit.

Just curious, I guess I should get some "rates" together.

Thanks, and be prepared for more of these dumb threads / questions.

**robschwager** · 01-20-2006, 06:09 AM

First.... you need to stop hanging out at the GP forums soo much and start hanging at these forums more:

http://howdesign.com/forum

you'll learn quite a bit.

Secondly, as for your question, read this article by Neil:

http://graphicdesign.about.com/libra.../aa092702a.htm

That should answer what you're looking to find out.

Thirdly, get those books I told you to get.

**Jeph** · 01-20-2006, 06:13 AM

Thanks papa!!!

**naduval** · 01-20-2006, 06:54 AM

Hey Jeph, as a fellow Mass. designer, I can offer you this advice. They want YOUR work, so charge what YOU feel you deserve. Any time spent, is time to be billed. It may feel weird at first to charge someone for sketches, but it will feel a lot worse to spend some time onsomething only to be never used and never paid. Get what you can, while you can, because you never know when a project will be killed or when a client will completely change their mind on what they want and or need.

**8ball** · 01-20-2006, 07:10 AM

..and get your general contract together as well. It'd blow if you work on some sketches only to have them "refused" and then see your work as a new nationally recognized logo.

**goad74** · 01-20-2006, 07:15 AM

And since you still have health insurance throught your wife, have those ears checked out.

**strawberryluna** · 01-20-2006, 07:21 AM

Jeph, a good rule of thumb is that unless you are specifically asked, never assume work requested from you is free.

a terrible analogy: unless there's a big sign on items at the grocery store, you wouldn't expect them to be free.

like i said, terrible. but it sets your perspective more in the right direction. you & your work have value. yes, that's right. now suck it up.

**Hero Design Studio** · 01-20-2006, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by robschwager

First.... you need to stop hanging out at the GP forums soo much and start hanging at these forums more:

http://howdesign.com/forum

you'll learn quite a bit.

So I decided to venture over there to just see the topics at hand... lets just say it's a lot different "on the other side"
http://forum.howdesign.com/tm.aspx?m=1899

**strawberryluna** · 01-20-2006, 08:31 AM

**Hero Design Studio** · 01-20-2006, 08:32 AM

right?
I say "Jeph, STAY HERE, this is where you belong!"

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