I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread, so I'm sorry if it's not. Here's a quick overview of the past few days: I posted a generic post on CL to contact me if anyone had any weddings or other events coming up, and I've received a few requests already for non-1-time shoots. A few companies are asking me how much I charge for a video they can have online that tells about who they are, their product and the like.

I've worked a few weddings before and I know how much to charge there. But for something like this, I don't have any idea. The final product will be short (anywhere from 15s to 1m). Ideas?

Moved from Helping Hands to Taking Care of Business.

CL = Craig's List.

Thanks Chris

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread, so I'm sorry if it's not. Here's a quick overview of the past few days: I posted a generic post on CL to contact me if anyone had any weddings or other events coming up, and I've received a few requests already for non-1-time shoots. A few companies are asking me how much I charge for a video they can have online that tells about who they are, their product and the like.

I've worked a few weddings before and I know how much to charge there. But for something like this, I don't have any idea. The final product will be short (anywhere from 15s to 1m). Ideas?

I'm reminded of this comercial on TV from some technology college, the mouthpiece says, 'How much are you worth in the workplace.'

That's what you have to ask yourself, 'how much are you worth?' How much are you wanting to work that job as well?

You could low ball it, and end up giving away potential money, and get the job, but end up with much more of a headache because you'll spend more in time and effort and get less of a reward.

I think most people here have a hourly rate, which should be inline with your equipment commitment, time etc, as well as your geographic area's standard.

Corporate is different than event videography. The end result is definitely different because often you're producing more DVD's than weddings.

So I doubt anyone here can tell you how much to charge, but I would not sell yourself short, but I wouln't shoot the moon either. Just find a rate that is fair to you and them and stick with it.

Your experience level +Your gear + shooting time + editing/conversion time + hard product production = how much you should charge. Or something like that.

Peace out.

Your experience level +Your gear + shooting time + editing/conversion time + hard product production = how much you should charge. Or something like that.

Peace out.

4 years + XL1s & Gl2 + 3 hours + 5 hours + ? = 41235. So if I move the decimal, it should be 412.35. I guess that's what I'm worth?

Hmmm ... maybe I should ask "what do you guys charge, and what do you offer on the given situation?"

-EDIT

Sorry,
At first I thought you were looking for prices for a wedding.

4 years + XL1s & Gl2 + 3 hours + 5 hours + ? = 41235. So if I move the decimal, it should be 412.35. I guess that's what I'm worth?

Hmmm ... maybe I should ask "what do you guys charge, and what do you offer on the given situation?"

How in the world did you come up with that number? The camera rental alone would probably be worth at least $200-300. Come up with an hourly charge and do your best to estimate how long the project will take you overall. Check out what other people are charging. Always best to start a bit high, feel them out, then give them a discount. Everybody wants a deal.

How in the world did you come up with that number? The camera rental alone would probably be worth at least $200-300. Come up with an hourly charge and do your best to estimate how long the project will take you overall. Check out what other people are charging. Always best to start a bit high, feel them out, then give them a discount. Everybody wants a deal.

The number was from all the numbers in the equation compressed together.

I'm trying to see what others are charging. thus, this post. Anyone? Anyone?

LOL, HaHa, I get it, that's funny. I would go ahead and flip the order around so you're making a bit more!

If you are going to include the equipment, just do an hourly charge. $50 / hr? $75 / hr? What are you worth? If you would be happy making $400 for 8 hours work, then charge the $50 rate. If you think they're willing to go with the $75, that will make you $600. Would you be happier with that? Or just tell them the flat project rate.

I don't think you're going to find a sure answer here. Everybody will tell you their opinion based on what "they" can get. If you're good at your craft as well as a good salesman, you should be able to get whatever you want within reason.

For corporate (or any work really), break down all your expenses (including food and housing as well as cost of paying off equipment for example) and figure what you need to charge for a 20-25 hour work week. That'll give you an hourly rate. The rest of the "unpaid" work week is "running your business" such as those unpaid client contacts, marketing, paperwork, checking gear, etc.

You base position is to charge enough to break even, add business growth, lifestyle (vacation time and life's fun things you want to have time/money for) comensurate with your experience.

Estimate how much time it will take to shoot and edit and FINITE revisions and you can give them a total estimate.

From my very limited experience with CL - I'd expect that if you posted the$412.35 number - you'd get responses. But virually ALL of them would offer back end participation deals or deferred pay - or "show credits" and "a great project for your reel" and then mention that the gig requires you to be avaialbe 14 hours a day - every day - for a week.

Seriously, has anyone here EVER made any livable money working with a client that came from Craigs List?

Just wondering.

From my very limited experience with CL - I'd expect that if you posted the$412.35 number - you'd get responses. But virually ALL of them would offer back end participation deals or deferred pay - or "show credits" and "a great project for your reel" and then mention that the gig requires you to be avaialbe 14 hours a day - every day - for a week.

Seriously, has anyone here EVER made any livable money working with a client that came from Craigs List?

Just wondering.

Yeah, I guess I'll be finding that out pretty soon. I'm not in a high dollar job right now (which is what my degree is in), so I need some money on the side so I can get married.

This has been really helpful. Thanks everyone. Anyone else?

Yes, I make a few thousand dollars a year from craigslist and at the rate I ask for too.

When you post ads, SPECIALIZE rather than "I do everything."
Have demos to prove your specialty.
Don't include price in ad but do when you send links to demo.

When responding to ads, include links to RELEVANT demos, price and exactly what you provide plus options.

Also keep in mind that at least SOME of the apparent "bottom feeders" simply don't know what things cost. Show them a demo and a price and once and a while they'll come up to meet your price.

From my very limited experience with CL - I'd expect that if you posted the $412.35 number - you'd get responses. But virtually ALL of them would offer back end participation deals or deferred pay - or "show credits" and "a great project for your reel" and then mention that the gig requires you to be averrable 14 hours a day - every day - for a week.

Seriously, has anyone here EVER made any livable money working with a client that came from Craigs List?

Just wondering.

How long is a piece of string?

How long is a piece of string?

Probably an inch shorter than I need. Why?

[QUOTE=Craig Seeman]Yes, I make a few thousand dollars a year from craigslist and at the rate I ask for too.

SNIP

Thanks for the first hand info. It's nice to know that someone's actually making an profit off the craigslist kind of work.

(I do note you're in NYC, and I've got to believe that "a few thousand" - while a fine side income - probably isn't really a "livable" wage for someone trying to survive in the Big Apple! :)

Still, it's cool that you're finding clients that will pay your asking rates on CL. It might make it worthwhile for other folks to check it out.

Bill, you're right, I couldn't make a living on craigslist alone. One does have to keep to a wage that is comperable to what one needs to live on though. In other words if I need to make X dollars a week at approximately 25 billable hours, that's what I charge. I may only get 5 hours of work a week from craigslist but it's at my rate. The rest of my income comes from noncraigslist clients.

craigslist in NYC has its own absurdity. I see people charging rates that can't possibly pay the rent, let alone video business expenses. I also see businesses (yes, BUSINESSES) asking for "interns" with experience. I refuse to compete in "that" market.

Hold to the rate you should make and you'll find a few sensible people who will pay it.