How to learn from my mistakes:
Tips to protect yourself as an artist and get paid
For about a decade, I’ve worked with a diverse range of creatives.
In my professional life, I lead UX/UI designers, graphic designers, and digital marketers. In my freelance life, I’ve collaborated with painters, illustrators, muralists, sculptors, podcast-ers, gallerists, clothing designers…the list goes on. Throughout this varied experience I’ve made mistakes: put myself in precarious situations, worked alongside morally compromised individuals and brands, and have been royally screwed over in business relationships.
As a “Type-A” creative professional I’ve always been torn between my analytical side and my artistic side. For awhile, it was difficult to even call myself an artist, though I am, because I enjoy having a 9–5, especially the bimonthly paychecks and healthcare. And until recently, I’ve experienced a few judgey interactions when in traditional business settings because I attended art school.
It took years for me to finally come to the realization that I comfortably fit in and belong in both worlds. With my understanding and ability to collaborate with other creatives meant I had the know-how to help those who struggle with the necessary evil that is the strategic business part of their brand.
As of late, I’ve been advising artists who struggle with navigating billing, legalities, business development, building organizational skills and establishing professional goals. That said, I wanted to share some (free) high level recommendations that I hope will help in even just the slightest bit.
Something important to note, I did not go to school for this.
This list was created from my own personal experience surviving slip ups and shitty situations, along with being a full-time project and account manager.
Take it however you want. Don’t take it at all.
I’m simply offering this so that hopefully you can avoid getting burned as badly as I have…
Create a Contract
Get that ish in writing
Contracts can be daunting, overwhelming, and quite frankly, a pain in the ass. However, you can thank me later…
You’ll want something like an SOW (Scope of Work), Creative Services Agreement, or a simple Services Agreement. There are a ton of free templates available online that you can download or duplicate and fill in with your info.
Some important things to include:
- Make sure that whatever budget and payment plan you decide on is explicitly listed.
- Include a cancellation policy.
- Outline creative services rendered and expectations. This might be short and sweet (black and white 8x11” painting) or, this might be a larger list. It helps set expectations and will protect you from any curve balls. It can also be used to create your invoice for payment.
Not all work or sales require a crazy formal contract.
Sending an invoice with payment plan info and a quick breakdown of what your buyer is agreeing to is perfect as well. And sometimes, depending on your client and project, contracts can be a bit of a deterrent.
If you find that your client has a quick turnaround or a long internal process with getting contracts approved (a strict legal team or if they need to create a PO — Purchase Order — which is an internal document on their end.) You can have them formally provide a written acknowledgement via email that would serve as approval of your terms, but be sure to also include an invoice. This is a bit more of a gamble, but can still hold up.
Establish a Payment Plan
Get paid upfront, get paid on time
Always charge an upfront ‘start fee’ before beginning any work.
I recommend not calling this upfront cost a deposit. By law and by nature, deposits are REFUNDABLE.
Getting your first payment will not only hold you accountable to get started but it will also ensure that you get paid for your initial time and effort. From there set up a payment plan that you’re comfortable with and always make sure you get your final payment upon completion of the work.
That means: no money, no work.
You also have the option of a NET 10, 15, 30 or 60 payment terms. This is a credit plan where the net total is expected to be paid in full by the buyer within 10, 15, 30 or 60 days etc. This type of credit payment is very standard in any industry. It really only applies if your project budget and or fee is fairly substantial, if you think it would help your chances of getting the job with a larger brand or organization, or if they ask.
Get money.
Identify Rounds of Revisions & Bill for Additional
Charge for more time
You accept a commission. You allow your client/buyer to send over their thoughts and feedback. What was anticipated to be a month-long project where the client only had a “few thoughts,” spirals out of control. Not only are you spending more time than it’s worth and bending to your client’s whim, but you’re being taken advantage of AND losing money!
Include in your contract how many revisions you’ll allow. Typically it’s 2–3 for a larger project, if it’s a simple project one round of revision is appropriate.
Any additional rounds of revision should be charged an additional fee.
I would recommend $50 — $100 but choose whatever fee you feel comfortable with or what falls within your price point.
Offer Series “Packages”
Provide discounts for multiple pieces.
If you have someone commissioning or buying multiple pieces, offer them to be purchased as a single group price that’s less than what it would cost individually.
Meaning, if you usually sell a piece at $200 and a buyer wants four of them, offer them the ability to purchase the group for $700 instead of $800.
This is also beneficial when you already have a series of work that you’re trying to sell (work that’s not from commission.) For example, if a single piece in the series is priced at $500 but the buyer wants two, offer them $850 or $900. However, if you want to try to sell more, offer them three for $1000 which would have been the original price if they bought two.
This means you’ll still get more money and it will incentive folks to buy more and potentially become dedicated collectors.
This tidbit of advice is written to be used by visual artists, however, I would imagine that any artist (musician, photographer, etc) could also employ the same logic.
A place I’ve seen this done best is at zine fests. Go to them, learn from the masters of pricing work on the fly. Folks who sell zines are great at this payment structure.
Choose pricing that you’re comfortable with and makes sense for you.
