There are 4 stages of career levels most creative people go through.
1. Paid Hourly $
You punch a clock and are paid via time
2. Paid for Talent $$
You get paid for your talent and technical skills
3. Paid for Ideas $$$
You get paid on your vision, your ideas, your thought process, personality
4. Paid for Who You Are $$$$
You have nailed all of the above, your resume, is you
(4 are often people like celebrities, sports figures, rock stars, business gurus, etc)
Most creative artists are wedged between 2 and 3. And many charge more toward 2. The key is work your income toward 3 instead. A client says they need a flying logo, 2 says no problem. 3 says, hmm, is a flying logo the best idea? 3 offers the most to the client, and charges accordingly. 3 is typically in charge of a team of people more talented, and has a completely clean desk, but 3 can still be anyone, even a single producer, if they focus on vision as opposed to tech skills.
So getting back to the client is always right, clients are paying you for 3 but some producers are just charging for 2. And worse, only offering 2.
Plus when working at level 2, you have little leverage and are trumped by another producer doing the same technical tasks for less cost. 3 can charge more because you can't get their vision elsewhere. In other words, most of what you should charge for and offer to clients takes place before your hands ever land on the equipment.
When you work at level 2, the client is always right, when you move to 3 the client is not wrong, but looks to you to make them right.
Frank
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Franklin McMahon / Host
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