If you’re a videographer, photographer, graphic designer or offer some type of creative service, there is one question you receive multiple times a week. How much do you charge? While there are people who are seriously inquiring with you, it seems to me that even more people are just curious. I’m a videographer. I create wedding films, real-estate videos, testimonial videos, events and music videos. I find that when it comes to music videos, I get this question the most. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve responded to an inquiry and have not received a response. It used to happen to me multiple times a week.

I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is — it’s never going to stop. The good news is — you can drastically decrease these type of messages and start to filter who’s really serious and who you want to work with. Before I tell you how, I want to put this out there. I think it’s impossible to have a set price for a music video. There’s no template to it. Sure, you can have a starting price — but saying you charge $500 for every means you’re not thinking things through. When you start to work with clients that need things like built sets, models, cars, etc. you’ll see that having a budget is important. That’s not to say that if a musician want’s a one location shoot you should charge him $150 either. Have a base price — something that is worth you going out there, filming, and coming back to edit. My point is, not every music video is the SAME — which makes the question “ How much do you charge” a stupid one.

Usually, I want to learn more about what my clients are looking for. What is their vision for the video? What will it take to make that vision come to life? So here is something every creator should have — a form. Wether it’s integrated into your website or not. You need one. See mine below.