A little business tip for creatives

As an independent creator, you might find yourself in the position that you find it difficult to give a price estimate. Like you don’t know what your work is worth.

Neither overcharging and thusly scaring people away, nor undercharging is desirable. But if you keep the size of your own wallet as your reference point, I don’t think you’ll ever do more than just scraping by.

Fact is, many, many, many creatives underestimate themselves. A constant self-doubt and a very emotional attachment to those creations we bring into being. Therefore, we’d feel so relieved and honoured if somebody is interested in our work, and even wants to pay for it. After all, it’s an inherent valuation of ourselves.

Does that sound familiar to you?

This blog is for you. I am here for you.

You have a specialism, only a fraction of the population can do what you do. You are worthy. Your work is worthy. You can bring forth inspiration and clarity. You bring colour or an experience into somebody’s life. People can enjoy their existance and grow, because of your work. Other people can even earn money with your work.

Do not despair. The romantic idea of a struggling artist is not realistic, nor desirable.

Remember: no one can claim your work. It’s okay if some people can’t afford you. Often, I would much rather be too expensive for most, than work very long hours for a very low fee, just because others would need me te be affordable. Imagine working 70 hours a week and still not making ends meet. I’ve been there.

Say no to unworkable inquiries and budgets. Say yes to taking yourself and your work seriously. Some people might just not be your customers. That is alright. No is a very, very, very good option for an answer. Don’t settle for minimal possibilities because you have the feeling to please others and their wallets. You are a professional, a specialist, and deserve to be paid more than a teen with his first minimal-wage job at a supermarket chain.

And even if your target group may not have a big budget, you still have to figure out how to make it profitable and sustainable for yourself. You are the driving force behind your enterprise. If you can’t make ends meet and struggle each day, experience stress and can’t focus, can’t spark your imagination and creativity, you’re not doing your best work.

You might not like to charge higher, you might think I sound like a filthy and selfish capitalist (but hey I’m a social-democrat), but I’ve seen so many, many colleagues crumble. Lose the spirit to create what they want and need to create, what the world needs, because they did not earn enough. Money buys you time and peace of mind.

Being able to make a living is a neccesity if you want to survive as an artist, and keep on creating. You could give in. Please others. And as a result, go under. Of course, feel free to give and give back. Support your community. But do not do this at your own cost. Put on your own oxygen mask first.

If you never hear that you are too expensive, you are too cheap anyway.

Of course, when people say what their budget is, you can think along, come up with possibilities. But never go below your own prices. You do not have to accommodate these people. I can’t go to a real estate agent and say “hey, I want this house, and the asking price is 500.000 but I can only spend 10.000, make it happen!”. Some people might need to save up, wait before they can afford you. Your prices are your prices. Stick to them.

Time to do something about that insecurity, fellow creatives! We are responsible for how seriously we take ourselves.

You are worthy.