I know this seems like a ”cheating” post but I found this exchange between a designer and a potential client to really hit home the message of standing up for your talents…and prices. I’ll call them Designer “X” and “Mr Client” but the story is a familiar one. As a designer it’s not always easy to stand up for yourself… clients often have demanding requests, tight budgets and due to one reason or another, designers will succumb to taking on labor intensive jobs at heavily discounted rates.

Below you will find the original transcripts of a conversation between a Designer X and Mr. Client.  

———————————————————————————

Mr. Client:
Dear Designer X,

I hope you are well. I appreciate you responding  so quickly.

I had contracted two separate design fims to create a logo, letterhead, etc. for the new direction of the business, at the start of the New Year. However, I have been disappointed and have decided not to use the designs. Therefore, I am looking for a design team – but now have a limited budget after paying these past two firms.

Are you able to do a logo, letterhead and business card design? I like things super simple, classic. Clean. Nothing too graphicy or colorful. I am looking at a price at $XXXX range.

Are you willing to take me on?

———————————————————————————

Designer X:
Hello Mr. Client,

Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the other agencies. Unfortunately my price range will be above your budget of $XXXX (more in the range of $XXXX) for the logo design and stationery. I also have other client commitments for the next 2-3 weeks so I won’t be able to start until then if you decide to go with me.

If you were having any hesitations about hiring myself as a designer here are some things to put you at piece of mind ensuring your investment goes into the right hands…

1.) My clients come from all different backgrounds – if you notice my portfolio, nearly every logo design is from a different industry… this shows that I adapt my skills, research and process around the client’s needs and industry in a successful and effective manner. I adapt any design brief and ask questions until the real need of the business is discovered. Understanding my clients background and and business is part of my thorough research process. This underlying process, as linked, ensures that every client gets what their business needs. 2.) I have had plenty of positive feedback from a large array of clients showing how I adjust and adapt my skills for each project. 3.) I have received numerous awards for my work in logo design and my work appears in design related books world wide. 

If for some reason you are unsatisfied with my work you may still leave without paying the final 50% of the project.
As mentioned before, if you have any further questions, please ask. I guarantee you will not be disappointed with my work.

Thanks, I hope I have the pleasure of working for you,  it sounds like an exciting project!

———————————————————————————

Mr Client :
Designer X,

I have no hesitation on working with you. You were my first choice. I love your website, I love your designs. There is no questioning that. I have just spent all of my budget on this already. It was hard to free up an additional $XXXX. I can try for $XXXX but it will be hard. If I can get my accountant to free up $XXXX, are you able to work with this?

This has been a nightmare process for me. I have business cards and letterhead that is about to be thrown away – very frustrating.

Let me know your thoughts.

———————————————————————————

Designer X:
Hello Mr. Client,

Thanks for your kind words and good to hear you wish to work with me. I do understand your situation with your prior designers, and can feel for you there. However, as I do not lower the quality of my work, I can not lower my prices, even for situations such as yours.

As much as I would like to work on your project, I can only justify the prices as specified previously. If you wish to go ahead with the work, let me know and I will put together a formal proposal and send over my agreement. Let me know. Thanks for your time.

———————————————————————————

Mr. Client:
Designer X,

Thanks for speaking me about this. I am going to get with my people and see if they will free up the cash for this. You are definitely the man for the job.

Mr Client: (2 Hours Later)
Designer X,

I wanted to write and let you know that I understand and respect your firm price of $XXXX. Quality of work is important as is price value. I hope to have this cleared by this week and or look at alternative methods to secure you.

Thank you for your correspondence. My business is so important to me and the new brand direction may identify my group initially, but I hope it helps define my quality in work over the following years. Thanks again.

In the end the Mr. Client did ”find” the additional funds and eventually signed on for the project. Designer X stood up for his rates and it had paid off.

Although there are many ways to handle low client “budgets”, being upfront and honest to yourself and your client is the best way to deal with it. You may not get the job in all cases but in the long term, you will definitely come out on top.

Comments RSS