- PPF Points
- 2,888
So picture this: a client waltzes in, eyes sparkling with dreams bigger than their wallet. Man, if I had a dollar for every time someone pitched me a champagne project on a tap-water budget, I’d probably have, well, enough for a decent lunch. It’s one of those moments that really pokes at your patience and makes you wonder if you’re speaking different languages. I mean, creative work? It’s not magic. It takes sweat, know-how, and—surprise!—money. But honestly, most clients just don’t get it. They see some slick website or a viral campaign and think, “Hey, how hard can it be?” Like, sure, let me just whip that up while I’m making my coffee.
Here’s how I usually play it, for what it’s worth: straight talk, but not in a “get lost” kind of way. I’ll break down the project, piece by piece, so they can see where the cash actually goes. Sometimes it’s more like, “Alright, here’s what we can actually pull off without selling my soul or yours.” Maybe it means trimming the fat, starting with the essentials, and putting the fireworks on hold for later. Clients tend to dig that, weirdly enough. Suddenly, it’s not me slamming the door—it’s me opening a window. Plus, it saves everyone from those awkward “why does it cost so much?!” conversations down the line.
Still, it’s never a walk in the park. There’s always this tug-of-war between doing work you’re proud of and not turning into a pushover. Where do you draw the line before your work becomes, well, junk? How do you keep the chat friendly without making them feel like a cheapskate? And honestly, isn’t it about time the industry did a better job teaching folks what this stuff really costs? Because, let’s face it, education isn’t just for the kids.
Here’s how I usually play it, for what it’s worth: straight talk, but not in a “get lost” kind of way. I’ll break down the project, piece by piece, so they can see where the cash actually goes. Sometimes it’s more like, “Alright, here’s what we can actually pull off without selling my soul or yours.” Maybe it means trimming the fat, starting with the essentials, and putting the fireworks on hold for later. Clients tend to dig that, weirdly enough. Suddenly, it’s not me slamming the door—it’s me opening a window. Plus, it saves everyone from those awkward “why does it cost so much?!” conversations down the line.
Still, it’s never a walk in the park. There’s always this tug-of-war between doing work you’re proud of and not turning into a pushover. Where do you draw the line before your work becomes, well, junk? How do you keep the chat friendly without making them feel like a cheapskate? And honestly, isn’t it about time the industry did a better job teaching folks what this stuff really costs? Because, let’s face it, education isn’t just for the kids.
