Not Getting Paid Enough as a Creative?

I’m definitely not getting paid enough money as a creative.

The number one piece of advice I heard over and over again from other entrepreneurial creatives before I made the leap to start Valor Media Group full time? 

“Make sure you get paid what you’re worth.”

I’m no stranger to this piece of advice. None of us are. It’s pretty common in the marketing field, to be honest. It’s meant to protect creatives from taking on more work than they originally agreed upon.

 Furthermore, it doesn’t take a titan of the industry to tell you that employees need to be properly compensated for the work they put in.

Uh, duh!

The classic formula I’ve followed from the start is “charge what you’re afraid to – then add ten percent.”

That’s how much you should be charging for your services as a creative entrepreneur. Most of the time? I totally agree. Wholeheartedly.

Creative work takes time and brain power. And the pros that can do it quickly have a vast pool of knowledge and experience that is worth the b-i-g bucks. I have a few designer and web developer friends who are top-tier, and they have the resumes and portfolios to prove it . These pals know their craft inside and out. When you pay for their services, you’re paying for expert-level work.

It’s true no matter what level you’re find yourself in, though. And I agree with the popular verbiage out there for freelancers/creatives.

Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth. After all, you did a job. It provided value (and that value is sometimes immeasurable) for your client. You deserve cash for your services.

A. Because you’re awesome, and your work is stellar. And B. Because oftentimes your clients’ success – monetary or otherwise – doesn’t always funnel down to your business.

 You don’t even get credit for helping them get there most of the time.

And that’s okay. That’s why you charge them the big bucks.

 However.

And this is a big however.

I want to caution budding entrepreneurs from overcharging for their services.

When you’re new at anything, you’re like a baby fawn in the wilderness learning how to stand on four wobbly little legs. You are Bambi, okay? I don’t care how awesome you are. You. Are Bambi. 

I know what it’s like to have someone want you to just pop on by and grab a photo or two. Or to copyedit their 50-page e-book in exchange for a “thank you” line in the intro. True story.

It’s annoying and a little presumptuous, isn’t it?

But on the flip side? It’s just as bad to overcharge a small business for work that you know they rightfully can’t afford.

At least, not yet.

The problem with marketing – and truly, one of the rationales I had for starting this company in the first place – is that the people who need marketing and social strategy help the most are the owners who are beginning their business.

They can’t afford a $5,000 logo or a $10,000 overhaul. And they shouldn’t have to.

I charge a fraction of what I know the work I do is worth.

Do you know what I get in return?

Relationships. Coaching. Business advice. Referrals. Training. Trades.

For instance, I recently traded a photo session for a free forging class for my husband’s Valentine’s Day gift. I traded a blog series to a friend whose brand I love for her thoughts on how I can better brand my business.

So, I’m not getting paid enough money as a creative.

But, I’m definitely getting fairly compensated in ways beyond cash. After all, I’m a creative - and creatives just make things work.

There’s value in fostering relationships. In asking for additional benefits aside from money. Especially if you’re morally opposed to overcharging for your services.

Maybe I’m naive and the worst business owner ever, but I think there’s a way I can both keep my personal integrity and be a successful business owner at the same time.

Now, if someone wants to throw down 10 grand for a project, I surely won’t turn it down.

I have bills and financial pressures just like everyone.

But I’m not afraid to put in serious work for my business. And I know that if I were working for a big business for an agreed upon salary, I’d be doing work that was beyond the scope of what I was hired to do.

That’s just who I am.

The moment I feel as though I’m not getting paid enough as a creative? That’s the moment I know I’m in the business for the wrong reason.

I want to help build brands that make a difference in this world – not just my bank account.