"checking with other graphics artists

Just got an e-mail from a prospective client asking for a price for some design work.

Here's how I responded:



Hi ******

Thanks for your inquiry...

You mentioned that you were " checking with other graphics artists and resources".

As far as other designers.... you'll get more bang for your buck working with me because when I take on an assignment I look at your communication first and then I help you turn your copy into copy that sells.

I will ask you questions like: Who is your target audience? What are they looking for? What sets you apart from your competition? Why should I pick up the phone and call you now?

By personalizing your message and talking directly to your target audience, you will increase your success rate.


Other designers are just interested in "pretty pictures". Designing a "pretty" piece is easy. Any designer worth his salt can do that. But honing your message so that it sells... that's a different story and I can help you do that.

I'm an artist first, been drawing my whole life, when I was a teen, I went to the High School of Art and Design then became a full scholarship winner to the School of Visual Arts..

I've worked with top marketing professionals for over 21 years now and I will bring all that experience to your project.

My fees are reasonable... not cheap, not expensive. A fair price for excellent work.

Give me a call when you have a chance and we can chat some more about your project.

Thanks,

Rob


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The bottom line is comparing graphic designers really doesn't work. It's not like you want to buy an apple.

Designers have different graphic styles ( I have many styles.. but that's for another post) but what I feel that should be communicated is that I'm easy to work with, my fees are fair and reasonable but most importantly, my designs SELL.

That's what it's about. I take my marketing background and put it to use so that I'm not delivering just a pretty picture but a piece that makes my clients successful. If they succeed, they will give me more work and then I succeed. WIN-WIN!

Leaving a full time job to become a Freelance graphic designer

In 1986 I decided to leave a well paying job as a senior graphic designer working for Marketing Corporation of America in Westport Ct, to go freelance.

I had no clients.

But I knew that there was a market for my skills as a comp artist because in addition to doing comps (that's short for "comprehensive"... a drawing of what an ad would look like) I was hiring people that would soon would be my competition.

In '86 computers were coming in but not for graphic design yet... comps were done by hand.

"Don't hire the freelancers" I was told. "We like your work better". Every time I would call a freelancer, they would either be busy, on vacation or if I was able to hire them, they made $350 a comp. 

Each project they did was for at least 3 to 10 drawings. Due usually 2 or 3 days later. At work I usually did 5 comps a day. (the other artists at MCA were doing 3 a day).

You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see that there was a lot of money to be made if you could draw, you were reliable and fast.

So my wife and I decided on a plan.. it was called the 3Bs. We would Build a workspace for me in our home. Have a Baby (under our medical coverage from the company). Then start the Business.

We finished building my workspace, had our third child and I was up for my annual review. 

I told my wife that IF I got a really good raise, we would delay starting my freelance business. 

During my review, my boss used the Freelance Artist Payments sheet that showed how much each of the freelancers we used were making each week, to reveal my benefits as he was talking to me. What was he thinking of?

Here I was looking at these artists making THOUSANDS of DOLLARS every week while my boss was trying to tell me about all the benefits the company was giving me... then he followed it with a stingy raise. 

The following day I gave the company a months notice that I was leaving.

Then I started making calls to local Ad Agencies, Marketing Companies and Sales Promotion agencies. 

Back then I found getting business to be SIMPLE because I could draw and these companies needed TOP artists to illustrate their ideas. I would call them up and say "I'm a comp artist.. I can draw people, animals, products and hand letter." If they needed a comp artist, and they usually did, I got to see them. When they saw my portfolio, I had a new client. My acceptance rate was almost 90%

Soon I was either busy, on vacation or getting paid $350 a drawing and getting 10 drawings or more a WEEK to do.

Next... seeing the writing on the wall... here comes the computer!