I started with a default hourly rate when I started, but over time defaulted to arranging a project rate with most projects. It helps with salary savings goals along the way. I’ve found that it’s good practice to include different line items for certain situations such as a render/hardware/energy use fee. Oddly enough, I haven’t encountered day rate culture yet, but I think it’s worth noting that small studios are vastly different businesses to charge compared to mid-large public companies. I’d still love to learn more estimate creation techniques to price for project fees! Great RU-vid launch, and I’m excited for what you have in the works!
I prefer to work with a dayrate (650$). Though, usually I will send a project estimate before starting up, and then usually I will finish the work a few days after or on the days estimated. If I'm about to finish early I take a bit more time to be sure I'm on the amount estimated, otherwise I lose money and in the end the client will be as much happy. Even if I'm Canadian I charge my clients outside of my country in USD. That way, my true rate turns around 800$ CAD
I'm currently using a day rate. I just started freelancing so I'm still really new to the whole pricing thing. It's definitely a goal of mine to learn how to properly do project based and value based pricing. I really enjoy Motion hatch! It's been providing me with some great advice. I'm stoked you've launched a RU-vid channel :)
@@MotionHatch Something I'm still trying to figure out is whether or not freelancers have contracts and other legal aspects that are good practice to discuss with a prospective client before starting to work with them. Also, how to actually put together a professional looking costing or quote when it comes to project based work.
I charge both day rates & project fees. Sometimes hourly. All depends on the client's needs as well as my needs should I be jugglying multiple mini projects when the larger projects are few. I find project fees sometimes frustrating as some clients really try to max out their limit of changes beyond agreed on. Day rates can also be a sticking point with some companies as you have to work safe with regards to ir35 compliancy.
@@MotionHatch I can't say I know much about value based pricing. I'd love to hear your thoughts on your live feed later today. Also a topic I'd be keen to hear about is pricing illustration. I know it may be off topic. But a lot of motion designers are becoming trained illustrators through school of motion. It's a real grey area for me. Taking on illustrations also allows us to take on much larger contracts. Also this opens up a new pandora's box. Pricing illustration & animation separately or together? Since illustration usuage may become a factor.
This all sounds like great advice to me, and thank you so much for it! But there's one thing I don't get. Why does it matter what is normal to charge in MY AREA if I work remotely and internationally and don't have a single client from my area?
Very helpful video, thanks! :) Quick question: We just started a partnership with a graphic designer. I am doing the animation and she is doing the graphic design for it. How do you price animation work done this way? I know most of the time the motion designer should do the graphic part, but we are splitting it up like this.
Hi Varga I would work out the time it will take you to do the animation and then add a bit extra on top. Maybe about 20% just in case it goes over a bit. If you're charging client for her work too maybe ask for her to give you a quote for the work and then charge a little extra for managing the project as well. Hope that makes sense.
Im junior motion desig. I had i client who want animated logo exacly same like he saw on digital market store - i ask hem why you dont wont to buy Ii from there… but he wont me to make same … how to deal? Market logo for 30 $ i think i will spend on it to much long time then 30 $ paymant. What should i told hem ?
I was wondering. 2 Minute video and I want to charge about 5000 euro...but if the client want 1 min? IN fact from 1 minute after you figure out the style and the animations to 2 minutes is not that effort like from 0 to 60...so not sure how to charge...how to give estimate... it is about crypto. 2 min = 5000, 1 minute 3000 ?
Hey! Maybe take a look at our most recent video about pricing, as this might help you break it down a little better - but still giving a one off quote to the client. If it's still going to take a similar amount of time/effort (which I know it can!) then still quote the client accordingly and make sure you can communicate this with them in the best way :)
@@MotionHatch thanks a lot! I used the idea to give some options and the middle ground that is the price that is good, but also more cheaper but with less effort to animate.
Thanks for commenting! Why do you just to project fees rather than any other methods out of interest? Or, is value-based pricing something you're looking to implement? :)
@@MotionHatch because I observed from the start of my motion design career (2 years ago) I never charged hourly or day rates, I always charged a flat fees for a project which is specially tailored for the client who is buying my service. It's also easy for clients to work with one fixed amount for the whole project because if some designer is efficient enough to deliver expected results in less amount of time compared to other designers they can charge more fees because they help clients much faster while maintaining quality. In hour based pricing if someone takes hrs time to get a job done the client needs to pay more and spend more time also on that same work at other side of the designer gets the job done in less hrs, they are getting less money even if they are efficient enough. At last the clients who runs a business value time more than money, so value based pricing is best for me.
If I was going freelance I'd probably pick project fee's. I like the idea of having the choice of juggle multiple projects or using extra time to work on personal things when completing a task sooner. I'd love to hear more about pricing as a 3D artist. Could a 3D artist charge more because of render times and having to figure out lighting, modeling/modeling for animation & animation, etc...) 6:11 that was funny hahaa
I was just asked this morning about my rate again. I had Chris Do in my head saying that hourly rates don't work in our favour but having a day rate as you explained here is really helpful to give a project estimate, let them know you're or not within their budget. Makes things simpler.
Yeah it’s easy to gauge with hourly or day rate but it’s not easy to make profit that way because you’re exchanging time for money so it’s swings and roundabouts 😊 what other videos would be helpful for you?
@@MotionHatch I think it comes down to what I can easily quantify. I'm far more experienced in traditional design so it's easier for me to gauge how long any single item in the scope will take. Because I've only just recently broken out freelance for motion it's still murky how long each stage takes me. So going with day rate can make things more flexible.
I’d like to see your take on niching! I go by Michael Janda’s niche funnel, but you already mentioned two different niching criteria I’d like to take into account, Skill and Style.
It depends on the client. Some want to book me for a day and throw whatever at me, but i'm mostly booked on a project by project basis, and I quote myself based on my day rate!
Yeah most people start by working out project fees on day rate and then after a while get a sense of the value of the project!. Thanks for your comment :)
I ended up with a combination of project based and day rates. If I get a whole project then I calculate my hours, add buying material (like stock footage, music etc.) and put together a project rate. For day rates, I had one day rate when starting and tried out what works and what doesn't. Later, changed that into a base rate and having additions for delivering open files, whether the project is under NDA or if it is a last minute job that needs a quick turnaround.
Such an amazing video, thank you! I have a question, as a motion designer who would offer a full package (design, animation, sound design) does this price apply for everything or just animation and you charge design separately?
Hi Sam I’ve found in the past if doing a day rate it makes sense to charge everything at the same rate. However if you’re doing project fees you can assign different rates but make sure if you’re hiring a sound designer for example you add a bit on top for your time managing that process. Does that help?
@@MotionHatch It does help! thank you, I just recently figured out that there is a difference between working for a studio where you can charge day rate for a certain skill and working for a direct client where you can do project fees and charge for each skill, although you charge a bit more on project fees which i'm still trying to understand why.
@@MotionHatch I would love to know how you manage to get those project fees with clients, and if you think its possible to do the same with studios, becauseI reckon they usually work with day rates, and they expect you to be available during the days working hours.
