[stilltryin08]

Well I just had to share.....


I finished my DVD slide show project from HEL* and delivered all 6 copies today! Well, they PAID ME right away...(YIPPY, VACATION MONEY$$$$$) But!!!!


I wanted them to watch the mini-show that I made for them and they did, and loved it! But they also said that this was SO MUCH BETTER than the one that our local TV station gave them for all the graduates! OMG! They are like really professionals at the TV station, and they said that one was CRAP compared to mine!!!

YIPPY! Granted my DH says I need to do this for a living. If I could line up enough work, I WOULD, I always say back to him! I would love to be able to work at home!

[gothprincess]

That's fantastic! I bet that makes you really good about all the hard work you put into it. Vacation here you come!!

[BronzyBella]

Great news!!!! Now you can relax :-)

[stilltryin08]

Yes it feels GOOD! I can stop stressin about that monster project! I like to do them but this one was WAY TO BIG!

Now I just need like 10 more to do and I can pay for all my vacation spending money..lol

[Angela C]

That's wonderful!! Awesome job!!!

[Leigh_Ann]

What exactly did you do for the project, and how much did you charge if you don't mind?

I am doing a project for a lady who wants her pics scanned/editted and retouched, and I am unsure what to charge her. She also wants a slideshow.

[stilltryin08]

Leigh- What I do for a project is typically this:

Scan, edit (crop, adjust color, retouch, ect) then I burn all the files to CD for the customer
I use software to make a DVD movie for them, which can be played in PC or DVD format on each DVD they order
Then I edit transitions, backgrounds, effects, music, and other aspects of the show the customer wants.

As far as what to charge, that is a hard call. That will depend on how long the project takes, what all is involved as far as how in depth they want you to get. Will it go online or be only on DVD. How long do you have to get it done. What will materials cost you. You can charge per pic or per hour. It is really up to you and the customer.

I personally like shows that have 100-200 pics, 10-15 songs, pc/dvd format. But I charge based on several factors. I did research on it to see what places that do this for a living charge. (which is outrageous in my opinion). I do not charge near that, but that helped me get some ideas of what to charge. Obviously if the pics are digital images already that will cut out some time, so the price is lower. If they are edited already, again that takes less time, so it would cost less to create the show.

Just some things to keep in mind! If you would like to see a sample show I have done (BASIC FORMAT) let me know I can send you a link to one I have hosted online.

[mommadeb]

I'm glad it was a success.

Here's some news you can use (or ignore ). STOP underestimating what your work is worth!! If the other people in your area are charging an arm and a kneecap, start charging an arm and a full leg.

According to a bunch of the marketing gurus I've studied over the years, when you raise your prices, your product/service will become more valuable in the eye of the customer. When you don't charge ENOUGH, people will think you don't do professional work...even if you have the very best product available.

[dmistyc7]

There is some really great money to be made doing that if you have the time. I've been wanting to get into it for quite some time but my schedule is so crazy. I think I am gonna slow down and start making time for things I enjoy. Right now I just have this website but I want to get into photo story and things like that. Can I ask what software do you use?

[stilltryin08]

Good point mommadeb! I definitely charge, but a lot of the work I do is for good friends. There is not anyplace within 250 miles that does this near me. So I am most likely one of FEW.

The problem I have is that I feel bad when I charge people for stuff I do for them...I KNOW ITS BAD TO DO THAT!!!! I am working on getting over it. My first step was to come up with a better price list. A little more set in stone than what I originally used....lol I adjust according to project details, but I use that list as a jumping off point to come to a fair price.


dmisty-there are several different software programs I use. It depends on what my end results need to be. (sorry about not being specific)

[mommadeb]

I completely get it. There was a time when I did things cheap because I felt bad about taking money from people. I got my wakeup call when I finished a website project and figured out that I'd made less than $3/hr on the darn thing...I worked my butt off on it!! So I went to Wal-Mart, bought a backbone (they're usually on aisle 4, btw) and started charging a LOT more than I had been. Business hasn't slowed down a bit.

And since you have the monopoly on the market...ADVERTISE!! If you really do want to do it professionally, join a referral group. If it's a good group, they'll keep you grounded and help you grow.

[tinabean]

KUDOS TO YOU! You should really be proud of yourself.

Tina

[stilltryin08]

Yeah I am thinking about making a website....I should do a little advertising! All the projects I have done so far have been word of mouth....which is great, but I could handle a little more work. I will check into the refferral group thing...thanks!