Blurb Forums

Phil,

Although, I am not comfortable to chime in and discuss this about “pricing” topic. It is just that from my experience by participating at other forums (other than Blurb Forums, I decline to name which forum discussion I am referring to…) – that there were lot of flamed statement going on related to pricing post on forum discussion.

So, I am afraid that you could be flamed with negative comment or something like that. Maybe it is just that you didn’t know.

It is something that you have to examine this on your own trying to figure it out yourself. But I will not mention any kind of dollars amount or anything, it is something that you decide for yourself.

But in general practice in design business, if you go for a full-time or freelance design project, it is something that you have to do some thorough research on pricing. There are ways to find more information on how to “price” goods and/or services through Google or Yahoo or other leads through search engine search queries.

To sum it up briefly, the idea is to price, it could be by marking up for up to anywhere between 25 to 40 percent. As for charging by hours, it is something that you need to do a research on that. If you go for a fulltime freelance designer, you have to do a thorough research and determine your cashflow, break even, product pricing, and all that related to freelancer.

Again, it depends on freelancer’s level of experience, skills in designing book and etc. Be reasonable with your experience and be honest with yourself in determining the pricing decision-making.

Sorry I can’t be of much further help on the topic, but you are encouraged to do a thorough research through Google and few other search queries method.

One other thing, if you go for a freelance fulltime and new in this way of pricing service and good, I have a suggestion for you to go to your local Small Business Development Center, where they usually have pretty good materials, tools and workshop on the topic. Very excellent resource, I highly recommend it to any freelancers or new small business owners to look into SBDC office. SBDC also offers entrepreneurial training program (ETP) or something like that for a reasonable fee. For those who live in Canada or overseas, I am pretty sure that there are alternative resource – small business development office sponsored by their national and local government, and in many cases by local universities as well, through common partnership.

I am sorry if this sounds kinda heavy-headed thought or insight, but it is kind of serious stuff involving in pricing and all. I am not going to go into that much further, but by knowing all these information related to small business and finance and pricing structure based on what you have researched and learned, in itself can save you lot of time, money and effort. You probably will sleep better that way by knowing all, better than other entrepreneurs or small business owners or freelancers.

Under global economies being instabilities, it is wise for you do a thorough research. You might wonder why I mention “research” few times. Well, you’ll see what I mean in time. Once again, you are strongly encouraged to research. I know it is time consuming process, but it is well worth it – believe me!

Hope that helps and good luck with your research project. And have a great day!
Brian

Hi Phil –
There are a few strategies that have surfaced as I am out talking with bookmakers. Brian touches on a few above. The one that seems to be working well, at least with the wedding photographers I have talked with, is to charge for the bookmaking service not the actual book product. This really is semantics as to how you position your work. So, my suggestion would be to charge by the hour or a fixed price for making of the first book and then charge a marked up per book price on the web site for any additional books.

Probably better communicated through an example. A friend of blurb photographer in LA shoots weddings. He will charge, say, $1500 for the first book which is primarily for his time putting the book together. This is in addition to the general photography fee. Then every subsequent book he marks up at a much smaller amount, say $50, and just sends a link to the bride and groom. They then can order from Blurb directly (all the profit still goes to him) as well as send out to friends and family.

Just one strategy that may or may not work in your instance.
Cheers – Chad

David,

I am trying to be at least helpful for other participants. If you don’t like my suggestion or tip or insight, be my guest. In other words, I know that some of my suggestion did help others, apparently that you don’t seem to appreciate someone like me as Deaf individual, who have two different language. I try my best to communicate in writing in English.

I feel very sorry for you, David.

Have a nice day! Ciao bello!