Disclaimer: The views expressed in this pulse are entirely mine.

In freelancing, it would be nice if your work could speak for itself, but that’s rarely the case. It takes a professional relationship with the client.

If you’re a freelance logo designer, you may not be aware of it, but a large part of your job is to manage people’s attitude and behavior. This task gets even more appalling when clients are unhappy or disagree with you. Even some of the best freelancers will have to deal with challenging clients at some point in their career.

I want to share one such unforgettable incident from my experience.

The story begins

It started off as a usual conversation but, towards the end, it had a twist.

I Wrote:

Hi,

I am writing this email in response to your message to my Linkedin profile. Here is the link to my portfolio. I can provide more on demand. My logo design charges are $550. (I take an upfront of 50% too). You can expect proper communication, timely delivery, unique concepts and unlimited variations on selected concepts. For designs other than Logo, I go for per project cost after analyzing the project!

Do let me know your thoughts.

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Client Wrote:

Hi Anusha,

Thank you for the response to our Linkedin message.

We tried designing a logo with our in-house team and not happy with the outcome. I need the logo asap as we are launching our StartUp Website soon. Regarding the pay, I feel that for an Indian Freelancer your rate is on the higher side. So please dial down the rate to $100.

Let me know if we can pay the 50% on the first draft and once you provide us the final we shall pay out the balance.

Please let me know if it’s agreeable and we can start immediately.

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I was shocked by this reply.

I Wrote:

Hi XYZ,

I understand your urgency. But, on a quick note, I am really disappointed you mentioned the rate is high for an Indian Freelancer. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a lot of money, but actually, it is more a matter of respect.

I can proudly say that I can totally design the type of logo you’re looking for even if it is hard for you to put it in words. I do not charge for the difficulties I experience in this job. I charge for my skill-set.

I’m not saying that I don’t want to work with you. If I don’t receive proper respect then I would have to think twice before helping you.

Sorry to disappoint you, $550 is my final rate. If you're okay with the amount and would like to put this behind, I can gladly start working on the logo.

Please send me the following

Logo Brief

Mockups that you were not happy with

Sample logos that are your favorites.

If possible we can schedule a call so that I can have a clear understanding of your requirements.

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After I sent the email, I did not receive any reply from the client.

I thought that he’d have a change of heart. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case.

So I moved on from this unpleasant ordeal and continued with my designing work.

Months passed.

One day when I was checking my email on a lazy Saturday afternoon, there was a mail from this client,

Client Wrote:

Hi Anusha,

Hope you remember me.

After our interaction, I went in search of a designer whose cost was a way lot cheaper and gave the work to him. And I was satisfied with his work.

Few days back, one of my employees was doing some research on designing and found that the logo design we are using was already used by a reputed company.

I was in total shock because the design was copied and I had already started using it. If the company comes to know about it, they’d sue my ass.

I’m not willing to take another risk by giving the project to a new designer.

We’ll discuss in detail over the phone.

I’m waiting for your reply.

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After, reading his mail, I could sense that he was in real trouble. So we set up a call and had a discussion. I agreed to do the design for the same $550.

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This post is not to brag about my working style or my payment etiquette.

But to emphasize,

you get what you pay for.

A business logo is the face of a company. The symbol appears on all of the company related identities such as letterhead, communication, marketing, advertising and much more. It is also the first thing a reader notices before reading the text. The main function of a logo is to instigate trust, recognition, and inspiration for a business or product.

As a logo design helps to establish your identity, how can you expect a professional design at a cheap rate?

To have a logo professionally designed, a business must be willing to invest in an experienced designer. And when you seek the expertise of a professional, they will not make a design at a throw off price.

An experienced designer will spend the time to learn what the business represents and create an image that reflects it.

Keep in mind that a logo communicates a business brand even after 20-30 years from its creation.

Make an investment in an experienced logo designer and you will definitely reap the rewards!