Skills pay the bills – How to avoid selling yourself short

Seriously, what makes it so hard to talk about money – it’s one of the most awkward topics designers face when working freelance or negotiating a better salary – suddenly, there’s an enormous pink elephant in the room!

Money shouldn’t be a taboo subject. Stop feeling like you haggling and respect your skills – know your worth. Have the confidence to ask for what you deserve – stop feeling apprehensive when it’s time to talk cash.

After starting out as a rather struggling freelancer – I soon learned my lesson and skills indeed pay the bills – so don’t’ sell yourself short. Here’s my advice for both freelancing and on the books.

Freelancing – Avoid selling yourself short

BE CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT

Get your fee out in the open right off the bat – be clear and transparent from the outset. Offer an insight into the way you work, such as this is what I can do for you and when I can deliver, and this is what I expect in return.

ASK QUESTIONS – DEFINE THE SCOPE

To price right you need proper project scope, then you can price the job accordingly and avoid selling yourself short.

There are many fundamental questions you should be asking such as

• What’s the project about?
• Who are the target audience?
• What’s their timescale?
• What do they want to achieve from the project?
• What do they expect from you?
• Ask what their proposed budget is? – It’s a fair question don’t shy around the subject of money.

TIME IS MONEY

Save time wasters – you need to know quickly if they can afford you – time is money. You are not just doing this for the good of your health – you need to earn a living.

PRICING IS RELATIVE

What is cheap to one is expensive to another – you need to price to suit you and the kind of client you want to attract. You set your price – you don’t need to haggle, if they can’t afford you then they can’t afford you. You don’t walk into the supermarket, fill a trolley full of shopping and then haggle with the cashier over the price.

CLIENTS ARE HUMAN BEINGS JUST LIKE YOU

Take a bit of comfort by remembering they are people too – most are honest, decent people who value your expertise and don’t want to rip you off. Most people don’t like feeling obliged and would much rather pay to get the right expertise– and bang for their buck!

GET AN AGREEMENT IN WRITING

Get everything in writing, draw up a proper contract – sensible clients will understand the need for this –cover your back.

LOOK AFTER YOUR CASH FLOW

Invoicing is just another part of the process when you’re freelance, and it’s one that’s vital to surviving. Schedule your cash flow into your workflow – outline when you will be invoicing instead of leaving it all until the end of the job – lowering your financial risk.

Agency or in-house designer– get the right salary

If you’ve been offered a new job or trying to get a pay rise, avoid feeling put on the spot or feeling awkward when that conversation comes up – because it will and you need to be ready.

KNOW YOUR WORTH

Have a sound understanding of your salary – know what you are worth. Take time to do your research look at what other designers with your experience and responsibilities are earning.

When you are offered a new job, the conversation of your salary will come up – don’t feel pressured if they ask you what salary you’d be looking for, ask first if they have a number in mind.

Once they’ve made an offer, take the time to think and don’t be scared to negotiate – by knowing your worth you can do this confidently and back it up.

TOOT YOUR OWN HORN

When asking for a raise it would be foolish to think that your boss is going to hand you one without asking why they should – so be prepared.

Sometimes your boss might not realise all your accomplishments – you need to toot your own horn – clearly show why you deserve that raise.

• List of highlights you have accomplished and the deadlines you met.

• Mention any additional responsibilities that you have taken on – times when you have gone above and beyond.

• Demonstrate how your skills have developed and improved.

WHAT IF YOU GET THE DREADED ‘NO’?

Try not to get downhearted if the answer is no, now is a good opportunity to ask what you need to do to successfully get a raise in the future – perhaps will a review in six months time.

CONCLUSION

With experience comes confidence – and it will get easier but always value your skills, they pay the bills and rightly so. Never sell yourself short – remember to have respect for your expertise, if you don’t, who will.