Running a Design Business: Pricing and Estimating

Figure out what to charge for your design services, and learn how to set an hourly rate, create estimates, and make sure you get paid.

Introduction

• Welcome
• About the exercise files

1. Money and Attitude

• Attitudes about money
• Positioning yourself for success

2. Pricing Factors

• Ten factors to consider when pricing
• Four design pricing philosophies

3. Pricing Strategies

• Introduction to pricing strategies
• Time-based pricing strategy
• Project-based pricing strategy
• Value-based pricing strategy
• Wild-card-based pricing strategy

4. Hourly Rates

• An introduction to developing an hourly rate
• Determining your rate based on freelancer needs
• Determining your rate based on design firm needs
• Determining your rate based on industry standards
• Determining your rate based on the marketplace

5. Estimating a Project

• Three types of estimates: Ballpark, budgetary, and definitive
• Two costs in estimates: Fees and expenses
• Breaking down a project for estimating
• Project P&Ls: Evaluating your estimates

6. Pricing Challenge

• Challenge: Price this project
• Solution: Price this project

7. Clients and Money

• Ten payment strategies
• Raising your rates and fees
• Winning the business

Conclusion

• Next steps