People will pay you if you do it right

[InterfaceLeader]

So... I recently completed my second website commission. I'm building the foundations of a mini-web design business, and I took this on despite not having much time, mainly to build my portfolio for the future when I will be quitting my second job... (Either July or August).

Anyway, I didn't charge much at all, because a. I knew it would take me longer than I felt was 'professional', and b. I knew it was building my portfolio.

Today they paid me, not the amount I asked for, but more, saying I'd done a great job and they were really pleased...

They even told me I was underselling myself

So, for the record, don't be afraid that people will try and cheat you or whatever... everyone I've ever worked for has always given me over-and-above what they were contracted to or invoiced for! Even my crappy pay-by-the-hour call centre job let me go home early every day but paid for the hours I wasn't there... equaled a couple of extra grand in the end that I didn't technically 'earn'.

Why? Because I try and do every job I am given absolutely to the best that I can... and I communicate issues and feedback quickly.

Do a good job, and people will pay you what you are worth! That makes me feel good about the world And optimistic about the success of my business when I finally move it from 'pending' to 'active'.

[Jonathan Mead]

That's great that you impressed your client so well and even better that they overpaid you. If you're just doing work to build your portfolio than underselling yourself might be justifiable. However I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for what you feel you're worth. Some people will be more than willing to take advantage of you, because they're just looking at what's in it for them. I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, just realistic. Great news though, that's a nice surprise. =)

[keneth]

jonathan i dont get your point.
you are viewing most people are cheaters and lier?
if people sense that you are sincere in what you are doing, people is willing to pay the right price for you.
that is just my own point of view.

[Dave Kaminski]

Keneth I just think he's saying don't be scared to do your best at all times and don't allow yourself to do any less, but don't charge less than what you think your time is really worth.

Just give a sincere effort and put your heart and mind into your work and you will be bountifully rewarded, so long as you are assertive and ask for what you really want.

I've found that this works (In the computer repair/web design fields as well) quite well.

[kpugh]

Ditto on the "ask for what you're worth" concept. As a professional photographer for many years, I found that I really was harming my business (and my business reputation) by constantly offering discounts and special deals in order to get the job. Although clients always walked away impressed and satisfied with my work, they didn't leave with an accurate feeling of VALUE. They left feeling like they really got a bargain. I was giving them way more high-quality photography and satisfaction with my business than they were paying for. So when they told others about my business, they weren't in a position to support my "bigger" self-perception...cuz that's not what I had given them. Instead, the referred clients came to me with an expectation that they were going to get more than what they paid for, and they looked for ways of minimizing what they were going to pay me. It became a self-defeating cycle that I eventually broke by taking the "risk" to set my prices more appropriately. I was afraid I wouldn't get as many clients, which is what happened for the short-term, but my reputation as an excellent photographer outweighed the change, and I started to get higher-quality clients who were willing to recognize my talent and experience with appropriate pay. I also found it more rewarding to work with clients who wanted to appreciate my talents from the start...instead of positioning themselves as "equally expert" in an effort to get me to drop my prices.

[Jonathan Mead]

That was my whole point, thanks for clearing that up Dave. I don't think there's anything wrong with fair exchange of value. =)