Getting good work done, and having clients walk away happy ... is first quality marketing. If you think about it, it's how say boutique guitar and amp makers market. And you're absolutely right, having other people talk positively about you is infinitely more valuable than pushing yourself. And it's one of the reason UA-cam based marketing is so effective for smaller outfits. Why you'll see boutique pedal makers sending around pedals to great guitarists to try, demo, make videos about.
I'm not a pro audio engineer, but I was a freelancer for years (web design, dev, etc), and the clients that always tried to lowball fees were also the biggest PITA regarding everything else in the engagement. If they didn't blink over my starting rate, they were usually awesome clients to work with.
@@JoeyFTL I think it's like Jeremy said. People who are cheap about money, are also cheap about their time, attention and effort. They are always looking for some way to cheat, to get one over on the universe. But there's isn't a cheat code to get around putting in the work to get make a good worthwhile work in art, music, or engineering. There's a reason we call them the end products of creative work ... artwork.
I definitely agree with the word of mouth being the most important way to "market" yourself. I as well never do any advertising, and all of my business comes from repeat clients or someone who heard of me from previous clients and it just keeps growing!
I found that one should never give a discount or work for free unless it's for a nonprofit organization serving a really good cause. If you want to give somebody a deal, under-count your hours, like don't charge for prep time or a portion of post.
This was really helpful, thank you for taking the time to do these. Glad the channel has served as good advertising for you too. Could you do a part 2 some time, where you talk about prices for mixing and mastering more?
Great rant Jeremy. A huge sign that's time to raise your prices: you're way too busy, and booked out full, all the time. Time to bump your price a little
Great video with all kinds of great info. You are not alone in the "low-ball" world. By trade I cut hair. People are always trying to talk my price down. "It'll only take a minute"
I work in video not audio but the clients and their attitudes are pretty much the same. When someone starts the conversation with the question of how much I charge, I mostly answer: I charge whatever you like. Followed by if you just want to pay 500/day then I let my intern do the job, if you have a fairly easy job then it will turn out fine, you just need a little longer... And then I usually turn the situation around and say: But when you are on a budget, then why don't you tell me about your project and your budget and we try to figure something out... If there is a real interest and if it is about the project then the client will start to talk, if not it will end the conversation right there and I can continue to do my stuff. I know this is not sugar coating things, but I am German, so nobody expects me to anyways ;-)
I am always happy to consider the contra but in most cases, the other person doesn't really deliver the thing/s that would make it worth not taking the cash for my time & expertise. Therefore it is take with no return. Like you, it has to start at my carded rate or we are wasting time. I also have no time for people too lazy to have looked at my website and able to mention one track that I did that they can say they liked. I am delighted to help answer their Q but people who are not smart enough to ask me to help them find & ask the right Q are probably not really ready to do the kind of work that I do. :-)
Been doing this for a while now, I have no head for business so haven’t even bothered looking for clients. Only been mixing and recording friends and myself, it’s all too much to think about money.
I do studio time for 40 hr at my house, l love my job because lm always busy, lm thinking about opening a recording studio and hire people because the worst part about this freelance is not being available because your already booked. What would you suggest ?
If you want to keep things small maybe its time to raise your prices. If you are that in demand. If you start hiring and maintaing a space you'll be raising them anyway. give it a go.
Getting good work done, and having clients walk away happy ... is first quality marketing. If you think about it, it's how say boutique guitar and amp makers market. And you're absolutely right, having other people talk positively about you is infinitely more valuable than pushing yourself. And it's one of the reason UA-cam based marketing is so effective for smaller outfits. Why you'll see boutique pedal makers sending around pedals to great guitarists to try, demo, make videos about.
I'm not a pro audio engineer, but I was a freelancer for years (web design, dev, etc), and the clients that always tried to lowball fees were also the biggest PITA regarding everything else in the engagement. If they didn't blink over my starting rate, they were usually awesome clients to work with.
💯 verified truth
My experience is the exact same. What could be the reason behind this?
@@JoeyFTL I think it's like Jeremy said. People who are cheap about money, are also cheap about their time, attention and effort. They are always looking for some way to cheat, to get one over on the universe. But there's isn't a cheat code to get around putting in the work to get make a good worthwhile work in art, music, or engineering. There's a reason we call them the end products of creative work ... artwork.
Local demographics is huge! Thanks for talking on that point.
I definitely agree with the word of mouth being the most important way to "market" yourself. I as well never do any advertising, and all of my business comes from repeat clients or someone who heard of me from previous clients and it just keeps growing!
Same here
I found that one should never give a discount or work for free unless it's for a nonprofit organization serving a really good cause. If you want to give somebody a deal, under-count your hours, like don't charge for prep time or a portion of post.
On point, I deal with this issue every single day.
This was really helpful, thank you for taking the time to do these. Glad the channel has served as good advertising for you too. Could you do a part 2 some time, where you talk about prices for mixing and mastering more?
What things would you want me to hit with mixing and mastering prices?
I am glad I come across your channel!
same 😉
Great rant Jeremy. A huge sign that's time to raise your prices: you're way too busy, and booked out full, all the time. Time to bump your price a little
Great video with all kinds of great info. You are not alone in the "low-ball" world. By trade I cut hair. People are always trying to talk my price down. "It'll only take a minute"
If there’s one person I wouldn’t care to piss off its the one cutting my hair… lol
I work in video not audio but the clients and their attitudes are pretty much the same. When someone starts the conversation with the question of how much I charge, I mostly answer: I charge whatever you like. Followed by if you just want to pay 500/day then I let my intern do the job, if you have a fairly easy job then it will turn out fine, you just need a little longer...
And then I usually turn the situation around and say: But when you are on a budget, then why don't you tell me about your project and your budget and we try to figure something out...
If there is a real interest and if it is about the project then the client will start to talk, if not it will end the conversation right there and I can continue to do my stuff. I know this is not sugar coating things, but I am German, so nobody expects me to anyways ;-)
Thank You For This Video God Bless You!!!!🔥💯🤟🎶
Your pinky and ring finger share the same tendon lending to decreased mobility 😎
I am always happy to consider the contra but in most cases, the other person doesn't really deliver the thing/s that would make it worth not taking the cash for my time & expertise. Therefore it is take with no return. Like you, it has to start at my carded rate or we are wasting time. I also have no time for people too lazy to have looked at my website and able to mention one track that I did that they can say they liked. I am delighted to help answer their Q but people who are not smart enough to ask me to help them find & ask the right Q are probably not really ready to do the kind of work that I do. :-)
I’m trying to find a link to your studio website, could you send that? Thanks!
Whisper-studios.com
TRUTH RIGHT HERE!
Been doing this for a while now, I have no head for business so haven’t even bothered looking for clients. Only been mixing and recording friends and myself, it’s all too much to think about money.
I do studio time for 40 hr at my house, l love my job because lm always busy, lm thinking about opening a recording studio and hire people because the worst part about this freelance is not being available because your already booked. What would you suggest ?
If you want to keep things small maybe its time to raise your prices. If you are that in demand. If you start hiring and maintaing a space you'll be raising them anyway. give it a go.
Wait a minute a couple hours south Nashville are you like close to Southern Illinois? :D
Indianapolis area
What's up buddy!
Can't find any prices on your website mate? Merch store, and a contact page. Is it just my browser not loading things?
No. My studio is separate from UA-cam. My studio www.whisper-studios.com