My good friend Reid Walley sent me this gem. Last week, I sent him this great quote by Red Adair: “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” And this video is a great study in how professional services are treated by some clients. The economy may be tight, but allowing your professional services to be devalued, be they design, legal, technical or something else, only cheapens the profession and devalues the skills many have acquired through years of training and experience.
Negotiation may be a part of some professions, but a clear budget and set of expectations, milestones, goals and methods should be part of every professional service rendered. Understand the value of your work, even if you’re just starting out in your field. A simple product photo with minimal lighting is worth less than a high end studio shot. You know it, the client should recognize this, and the target market will react accordingly.