Rates and negotiating

In an ideal world, I would like to be able to provide a free, speedy and reliable service to my clients.

However, I have to rely on my income to update, fix and maintain my equipment (which takes physical finances) and, also, to keep my knowledge up to date (which absorbs time).

As such, I have established a very fair system to guide us when negotiating and coming to a reasonable compromise regarding the package that you can receive within your budget and planned timeframe.

Please refer to this diagram (click to enlarge). You have three criteria which serve your interests: Low Price; Short Time Frame; High Quality. In order to ensure that my interests are also served (and that I don’t lose any time, effort or finances), I can only provide two of these, out of the three….

I have taken on (and still do) charity jobs and other work for beneficial causes without a fee but, please be forewarned, any other professional work I do is charged at my full rate.

Below follows a short and light-hearted sketch. But it carries a very pointed message. I have been in very similar implied situations as those which are highlighted in the video below.

However, nowadays, fully believing in the beauty of symbiosis, I politely and respectfully won’t involve myself in one-way production relationships any more and will turn down any projects that don’t have the necessary funding in the budget. I appreciate your understanding, enjoy this funny little vid anyway… (with thanks to ScofieldEdit for producing such a great piece)