Doing stuff for cheap
- Started
- Last post
- 24 Responses
- clearThoughts
What should you do, if somebody asks you to do something you did before for somebody else - but for 3 times less money.
Should you do it, or let the opportunity slip?
Or even worst - let them get somebody else to rip off what you did and do it for cheap?
- Ruffian0
What is this "something"?
- clearThoughts0
Just a website - basically.
- clearThoughts0
Somebody likes a site you did - they want the same thing, but think it's too expensive.
- Bluejam0
don't devalue yourself, give them a polite "no" and explain why it costs x amount of money. if they don't get it or appreciate what you do walk away.
- clearThoughts0
The annoying bit is when they get somebody to rip it off. What do you about it!!
- Dancer0
Tell them that there is a process to design.. creating them a "unique" website is more than using a cookie cutter.
Plus I am sure the other company would have something to say if you just copied theres... this type of request makes my blood boil.. talk about not valuing design
- Orbit0
Can you not re-skin the work you already did the first time and make it one third of the effort to you, thereby making it effectively the same pay rate as the last time?
- PonyBoy0
find out what it is they do for work... then ask them to do it for 1/3 the cost... revel in the awkward silence :)
- clearThoughts0
Yes - I could, but I'm devaluing my work. And everybody else's in the industry.
- harlequino0
If you need the money you can also take the tactic of saying what you CAN do for their budget.
"Sorry, I just cannot give you the Rolls Royce. But in your budget....here, have a donut."- I can't arrive at the AGM in a donut!Orbit
- Think "outside the donut."
*cleans square shaped CD glasses.harlequino - * Arrives at AGM outside the donut.Orbit
- Projectile0
Duplicate the site & swap the logo for 3x less. and if they want more, then charge them more.
- Orbit0
I don't think you are devaluing the work if you communicate with them effectively. If you explained to them that work is worth 3x what they are offering, but you are able to re-skin the first job for them. If you tell them upfront that you are going to take that short cut in order to meet their budget then you would be maintaining the value perception. They will know they are buying a re-painted website, and you can make it abundantly clear to them that if they then start asking for additional stuff that diversifies from the pre-made site they will need to find additional budget to cover the bespoke work.
- Could result in a kerching. Lets face it, they're bound to want to start fiddling about once you get underway.Orbit
- That is very good advice, make sure you get a contract drawn up thoughharmsie
- yeah just make it VERY clear that you won't do any tweaking. OR: tell them they have 2 hours of tweak time, anything beyond that will cost moreProjectile
- beyond that will cost more.Projectile
- d_rek0
Tell them to crowdsource it.
- NotByHand0
Could you offer a 'scaled down' version of the site the client likes?
- grunttt0
tell them you'll do it for their cheap price but they have to let you kill one of their pets in the manner of your choosing.
- previous0
for me it would depend on how much I needed the money and how to package it so it has a rationale to make it worth it and not devalue your work... but mainly how much i needed the money
- webazoot0
Let someone else do it. Clients who are that cheap are going to be trouble anyway, I've done jobs at rock bottom prices in the past, and its always those clients who can't stop changing things, keep creating more work within the project and are constantly moving the goal posts.
- MSTRPLN0
Do it for 1/3 the cost, then serve them with a cease and desist letter.
- Frosty_spl0
do a site that is only something like 2 to 3 pages since their budget doesn't allow for more.
- doesnotexist0
don't copy your previous work- you would be devaluing the first client's work as well as your own. tell them what they can get for 1/3 of the budget, and maybe use similar solutions adapted to new clients needs- I think they would appreciate this rather than you refusing work and starting off with a 'no'