How To Price Illustration for Children's Books, Editorial, etc.

[@MejorContoneo]

This (along with Will's other advice videos) should be mandatory in art school. Weird how art school taught me all about technique and nothing about marketing, professionalism, freelancing and other industry stuff. Thanks for doing these Will! You're bettering lives with this information :)

[@Mary-gz1qw]

Just saw this Will ... and Amen ;) What amazes me is why the general population think illustrating is all fun and games, or that you can just bang out a masterpiece in an hour. That's irritating, and I don't appreciate being low-balled for ignorance. Ahhhh ... there, now I have that off my chest :D

[@jackiebenson11]

Right? I often see jobs listed where their budget is like $200 TOTAL. It's a joke.

[@tifu678]

I understand this annoyance, and the idea of work being what it’s worth. At the same time, what many clients (especially new writers starting out with good stories and low on cash), want options. For example, when i buy custom furniture, i can ask for pine or exotic woods, cotton or brushed silk etc. Is there no similar concept in the business of illustration? There are after all always degrees of quality, scale, size, detail that can vary the price, or am I way off base here? I ask because just as an illustrator is looking at the bottom line for their time and it’s value, a new author is taking into account that a book by a new, unproven author will be unlikely to sell enough copies to pay anywhere near the 5 grand or so, let alone 10 grand on the higher end of the spectrum.

[@mrrabid9602]

lol... I feel you. I am lucky to make £500 for my work. The best I have ever made in the 5 years I have been in busness is £2500. That was for a job worth much much much more. My average is £100 for something like 5 drawings of cocktails to go on menus. Thing it. The client is a huge company. I am starting to get pissed of with working for crap cash. There is no living in it.

[@mrrabid9602]

@Han Lockhart My theory is that people THINK we do this for fun... Nuffsed... Thanx for the replies mate :)

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

@@tifu678 Your only hope in that case is to find an artist int he same position as you, who is willing to do stuff for just the experience. But you must understand you are asking a hell of a lot of that person. Don't expect them to be as excited about your labour of love as you. Chances are the quality of art will reflect the artist's lack of experience.

[@autumnphyre]

This is incredibly helpful thank you. We were constantly asking our lecturers at uni, what should we charge for our design work/illustrations/graphics and they could ever give us an informative answer. I feel more confident in pricing now, thank you!

[@yogipopp5524]

I like that when you openly talking about the business aspects of this job. It is also an important issue - unfortunately, this topic was ignored in my academy of art. There was no mention at all about the fact that art can be commercial thing.

[@willterryart]

If I had known I would get so much love I would have done this long ago :)

[@ce9195]

Dear Will, Thank you for your insight, from a young freelancer

[@edieostrowski181]

I love the "gab" in your videos and look forward to the longer ones. You put so much information in every one and the "gab" factor lets us relax and take in the message better than zipping through it and us having to go back and watch it again. Although some videos I have watched multiple times! Also, I think in pricing work, it is important for an artist to consider just getting started in their career vs experience in pricing their work. I remember that I would have worked for free just to get my work printed professionally. Of course, once I did begin getting jobs and found out that my art had worth, the novelty of working for small wages wore off quickly. Great, great video. Oh, and back in the day when I bought my first copy of 'Pricing and Ethical Guidelines' book, I only felt deflated because I was selling my work for so much less than their recommendations. I don't think any artist supports the 'Pricing and Ethical Guidelines' book anymore.

[@lachelealtig495]

I appreciate your comment, because "just getting started" is where I'm at right now. I finally have the resources to put my art out there, but was really uncomfortable asking for compensation. I have a few projects I'm willing to do for little money because they aren't commercial, just to get some experience, but I wasn't sure how to go from there. So your comment was very helpful. Thank you!

[@jodihill2758]

Thanks Will that is just what I needed to hear today as I now realized I have been charging less than I should because I want it to be "fun" but end up mad at myself for working so hard, like digging ditches, and getting paid (uh, yes, less than $80 per watercolor page). As for the next project, your chart will be my guide.

[@lachelealtig495]

This was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you! This strategy is something I feel very comfortable with, whereas setting a concrete pricing structure was something that made me queasy. Your video has given me confidence to ask for compensation for my work. =)

[@CharlotteWV01]

Someone wanted me to do a 32 page children's book for £3000. Which is the lowest price of what the Guild suggests. I'm so glad I found this channel, thanks Will Terry!

[@WorldisArt]

Just now coming across this video and thank you so much. I like that you are advocating for the artist to assess their needs in both a quantitative and qualitative manner. I'm sure it takes practice and refinement to really figure out your rates but I think you're correct that there is a lot of "feel" and intuition involved with determining what you are and are not okay with, what you are excited by, etc. It's a great starting point that can help someone like me starting out with little reference. I was struggling to imagine my skill level compared to others, what other's rates were and thus how that should set mine, etc., and it was a hot mess. This has helped me feel more confident. (also this sort of intuitive process can apply to a regular non-creative, non-freelance position just as well!)

[@DarrenMCoutts]

Hi Will, It was a really informative video, and I appreciate you taking your time to provide some valuable insight on how to price your work to people looking for services in the graphic arts industry. I am currently looking for an illustrator for my children's book and it is important to myself to make sure that I am offering someone a fair price for their work. Thanks again for your time to produce this video, and I look forward to exploring your website and other videos. I do really love your work as well. Darren

[@jean-louisdupreez3353]

Just found this gem of a video. I could relate to almost everything in this video. Thank you, Will Terry, for sharing your experience. I have been looking for answers, and this video has ticked all the boxes, and pointed me in the right direction. Very much appreciated!

[@GordonBagshaw-FrodoTheSheltie]

Hey Will, this is great advice. You didn't have to make this video but you did and we all benefit from it. Thanks so much for doing this. Cheers, Gordon

[@phoenixrmt]

the most comprehensive way to price an illustration job that I have come across. just found your channel and decided to subscribe. thank you for putting out the content

[@willterryart]

Yes you can charge too low but often you won't know it and it won't hurt you in the long run. Experience points are needed so you have to jump in and try - no such thing as getting it perfect or even near perfect in the beginning - you have to learn by experience.

[@philiphuntington2569]

This is invaluable advice. As an illustrator, nerves or low self worth can often kick in and result in taking less than you want. I was once was offered a £300 for a commission and almost took it because I wasn't feeling confident to haggle. Luckily something in me snapped and I said I need more money and they gave £800, too readily. After reading the contract I found out that they wanted full buy out rights?! No way bro!! After a little back and forth we agreed £2000!!!! Light bulb moment - People are going to take the piss - its not personal. Thank you Will, hugely helpful advice.

[@JordanFees]

Thank You for sharing this information Will. I've been out of art school for a few years now and it's good to hear this information. Playing hardball with a client is unfortunately part of the deal but I especially like the scale you came up with. Sometimes I ask too little and then end up kicking myself for it. Again, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to share all of your videos :)

[@KitaParnell_Art]

domo arigato gozaimasu! You've answered years of questions that kept circling around in my budding career. The way you laid it down was so crystal clear and made way better since then most books I've read and classes I attended. You have a new subscriber! thanks again!

[@ThaigirlinAmerica]

Hi, Mr terry I just wanted to let you know I'm a big fan of yours. I work at the smithsonian museum of natural history in Washington D.C I was in the day care facility there this past week and noticed your book three little gators. I wanted to let you know your work is appreciated, please keep it up...thanks...james

[@willterryart]

Thank you James! I love hearing little stories like that :) I grew up just outside D.C. and visited those museums many times :)

[@ThaigirlinAmerica]

I wanted to send you the pic of the book in there class room but can't send it thru here

[@tifu678]

Loved the snippets of your work I can see. You have obvious talent, creativity and high quality output. The discussion, however almost tells me, and many new self publishing authors out there, that your level of expertise, and fee, is out of our reach. It is sad, even as it is just life. I understand your point of view, but would love to hear your thoughts to newbie writers looking for as great value as we can afford. What should we look for?

[@leanzadoodles5354]

This was so helpful, thank you! I currently have an inquiry to illustrate a children’s book and I don’t know the client’s budget, but they hinted that they don’t have much. I’ve never illustrated a children’s book and I REALLY want this job, but I also don’t want to do it for too low. I think being firm with your price is important but I also think other artists don’t acknowledge that that price will be different for everyone. I’ve been thinking about getting that book btw, but I wasn’t sure if I really need it. Now I’m more confident that I don’t need it. Thank you!

[@scottgreen2132]

Thanks for the video. I'm just trying to help a friend, who wrote a children's book, figure out how to get an illustrator, and what to expect on cost. Of course I can't really answer his question with this information. But it's a good starting point. I'm a nurse and he's a retired librarian. The blind leading the blind. LOL

[@willterryart]

Thank you - yeah - you can do really well but you have to be very committed and smart with the projects and products you make.

[@lucyricardo8713]

Thank you so much for this invaluable information!!! I wish literally anyone in at school would have shared this wisdom with me. Thank you again and again! This is beyond helpful

[@jackiebenson11]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise on this. I just did my first children's book illustration and it was hard asking for what I think I deserved especially since they cut my deadline in half! Next time around I will use your methods to get more!

[@nikkischmidt7278]

You are so awesome. I just got my first assignment by an swedish singer that I've always admired. I'd never put a price on what I've made before and were scared out of my mind for over price him and yet everyone I know who works with photography or graphic design told me to take a lot more. It ended up with me getting kind of a slave salary for the whole thing, BUT I was really happy about it, only afraid that I'd "failed". But after seeing this video it all feels right anyhow. THANKS

[@elizawilson8088]

Thanks for that. I am a painter and would visit a lot of galleries to judge how to price my paintings. It was worth that effort.

[@willterryart]

Thank you for letting me know - I'm glad that people can benefit from my thoughts. I appreciate your thoughts - yes, it's good to try to push for higher fees on larger higher profile projects.

[@artist2you]

Such great points and wonderfully direct in the real world of all art areas! We often speak to visual artist groups and without fail, all the artists are looking for that "magic bullet" for pricing. Beginner artists think their 16 x 20 painting should command the same price as so and so's 16 x 20 and it does not work that way. You are selling yourself as a professional package, not a number :-) I loved that you talked about calling on the phone-In today's email and texting world, the ONE tool that is impossible to ignore is the telephone. In any email inquiry for a quote, we always call the inquirer and start a verbal conversation to "build a relationship" and talk about what they want and so much easier to ask for their budget they have set aside. It increases your odds of avoiding the "silent void" of sending your quote and never hearing back. So glad you did not fill this 32 minutes with artsy fluff. If you make your living with sales of your art or art talents, then you know this is good solid, advice and illustrators should take advice from people who are where they want to be. You've been there for awhile and providing a valuable service in your field. Thank you. Oh and for those wondering as I read about copyright-go the source www.copyright.gov/

[@willterryart]

Thank you Theresa - it's hard to help students value what they don't value...all you can do is lead them and hope they drink :)

[@missnye2195]

Thanks for making and posting this great and helpful video. I painted Christmas pics on windows for years. I was always afraid to raise my prices. My daughter, who was studying business, encouraged me by saying "If you pay peanuts, you're going to get monkeys!" I nearly doubled my prices. Business went through the roof.

[@EmWarEl]

A very generous offering of unusually candid info. Much appreciated.

[@willterryart]

You're welcome! glad you liked it.

[@koconnor90]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom! I'm just getting into pricing a children's book project and this info was invaluable.

[@lucyricardo8713]

This exact reason brought me to this video too!! I hope it went well for you!

[@willterryart]

You're welcome Mallory! I was told the same thing from many different artists along the way and it bugged me too! - So I really thought about it for many years and eventually figured out what worked for me.

[@willterryart]

I got a lot of the same - one of the things that fuels me to make a change in teaching.

[@teroblepuns]

2018 and this is the most useful video I found on this topic so far.

[@nerueru5756]

That graph is everything! I am beginner, so I'm at the hate my life $0.00 bit. Your videos are insightful, funny, and I learnt a lot. Thanks!

[@jazper4000]

EXCELLENT advice. much appreciated. the graph , the bottom line and etc. thank you. i feel a bit more comfortable in stating my quotes for work

[@jakenorth4811]

Thank you, Will. This entire thing was very helpful. I've been illustrating for years, and I still seek out advice like this. Good work, and good luck!

[@Myselfsama]

Will, I mostly agree with your thoughts on this video. And I do think its rather silly trying to figure out how to price work from a book. With that said however, the book contains a lot of valuable information that is not only related to pricing that helps a ton. Contracts, and copyrights are a big example. With so many ways that an artist can get scammed these days, information that helps to protect your work is very valuable. But again, as far as pricing goes I think your assessment is spot on.

[@willterryart]

Great point! not black and white... :)

[@WritingForChildren]

Thank you, Will - most useful! This video was promoted to SCBWI members in Queensland Australia this last weekend. Also, establish the end use. For me, the job and same art will have a different value if it will be used for a very expensive product sold worldwide, a mining company prospectus or an advert for the local hairdresser ...and for some art, if I keep it and can sell it through a gallery, or in the future to a different business.

[@UConceptPublishing]

I totally agree with you. And this applies not only to artwork but to video production and whiteboard presentations or video scribes I do. It's best to quote pricing per job based on all requirements as you mentioned.

[@maggiekgreen]

You are so well spoken. Thank you so much for your advice! I'm breaking into the book illustration industry and needed a few of those tips. Cheers!

[@tomoudinarath5028]

Thank you for posting this video. I'm just starting out with illustrating children's books you gave some solid advice.

[@707jmc]

This is the best content I received in a while. I appreciate your honesty! Thank You! I wanted to know if you charge for Royalty Fees, if the client is a self publisher, how would I go about doing that?

[@BrookeCottle]

Got a real kick out of your desire graph - so funny!! and true - I appreciate your videos :)

[@StarMasayume]

Great practical advice on a tricky subject, thanks :) I've been struggling with this a lot as I move more into freelance.

[@Ollieshini]

This video is absolutely fantastic! You gave some awesome approaches and answered so many of my questions. Thank you so much!

[@benin8or]

This is some of the best advice I've ever been given!

[@paulwatts765]

Thanks so much. It's hard to find people talking frankly about this, and I have little experience pricing my work successfully.

[@dragonslayerdarius]

""We don't pay with chickens and goats anymore"", priceless :D. Useful video Will Terry! Thanks!

[@michaelbaker1476]

This is fantastic! Thank you for your time in laying this out for us!

[@TazHall]

Definitely agree about bottom line. You kind of have to live... and eat :-) I've never really asked someone's budget but I'll give it a shot if the situation arises. Thank you!

[@willterryart]

Ooops - good question - it often depends on what the client is offering. I always try to retain the copyright but sometimes an offer comes along requiring an all rights buy out or "work for hire" - this again depends on how bad you need the money or want the experience. I've done my fair share of WFH contracts but try to avoid them by attracting better assignments. On picture books I get an advance/royalty deal. On editorial it's usually one time rights.

[@aaronlane8405]

Very helpful video,- there are so many factors that weigh into pricing, it can be a bit daunting. Thnx for the strategies, I will apply them.

[@giuliagerminsky4792]

You are the MAN! Thank you so much for your videos! Are super helpful

[@mallorycarlson1394]

Hi Terry, can I just say, you are awesome! I love all of your videos! I can't find this information and knowledge anywhere else. This video actually helped me so much. Subconsciously, I've been using the "sweet spot" thinking, without knowing what it was. An artist friend of mine would tell me if I priced my art low, it would be better to lose the job than paid too little. I always disagreed, but couldn't explain why. Thank you for this and all of your videos.

[@willterryart]

You're right - I think most school teachers don't do much freelance so they are often not learning these lessons...this is why I'm teaching an online children's book class - relevant information... :)

[@TheTastyAsian]

Will, thanks again for the wonderful advice!

[@willterryart]

Thank you! I'm doing one tonight or tomorrow :)

[@ChrisLupetti]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Will Terry.

[@sparksmiley591]

I am so happy I found this channel! I'm learning a lot, and realize I have to keep improving :) Great motivation~ Thanks alot Will.

[@padreron]

Will, hello … your topics are helpful and your advice appreciated. In one episode you say your time is valuable. You enjoy talking with people. That’s clear. Candidly, I'd like to sip a coffee with and gab or sit in your studio for a chat. Online, however, my time is valuable too. May I suggest that for future videos, you abbreviate the remarks. 20-30-40 min is a big demand, and you do want you messages heard, so ….

[@willterryart]

Good point Ron...I gab :)

[@voyance4elle]

+Will Terry I am glad that you dig into this subject that deep.. I like listening to your explanations for hours while painting^^

[@stevespatucci6502]

+Ron Unruh Just to point out another perspective, I listen to these videos while working, so the longer time and more in-depth conversation is appreciated. But if I couldn't listen while working, the length would make me reconsider watching.

[@PetravanBerkum]

This is very useful and I agree with you on so many things with this! Thanks for sharing!

[@industrielfilm]

I m working on 20 books for one yr work. Each book has 16 pages, 390$ per book in my country. About 25$ per page illustration in color. I had to give this price because I was competing with other illustrators who gave more.

[@Sikabo]

This is what they should teach in school/Uni. Thank you

[@brenda7467]

Thanks for your opinion and advice

[@MrForgeard]

Find the money side of art difficult...great advice!

[@AniRhythm]

Thank you for this, I've always had problems on this point and the way you explained it gave me a better idea of how to respond. I especially appreciate the realistic way you explain it. Cheers :D

[@GraemeC1988]

Hey Will. Just listened to Ep9 of the SVS Podcast. Think this was the video you were referencing. Great advice, thanks for sharing :)

[@carinucha]

Will, you are awesome ♥ thank you for this, really valuable tips and your own experience, thank you!!!!!!

[@metalstorm4]

Haha you had such spunk in 2012! Loving the energy

[@marietVF]

Hi! I was seeing in both sides I mean for example : in a "good month" could be a risk to charge super shipper, maybe the next month won´t be a good one,.. but more than that detail I´m sure that the better way is a sum in different proportions of all the aspects related in, thanks a lot!! ;)

[@willterryart]

Hi Mariet - I don't understand - "taking and unnecessary risk" for what? What I mean by asking for more or less depending on your needs is that sometimes you need money really badly and other times you might not need it as bad depending on your workload.

[@TheDarkestBliss23]

thank you for sharing. you are a good person. the bluntness of it all is great. I am happy i found you :3

[@willterryart]

You're welcome - it was frustrating for me when I got out of school - but we didn't have youtube back then :)

[@willterryart]

You're welcome!

[@jasonhughes2305]

Good basic economics lesson - thanks, Will.

[@OnlyBadNewsDotCom]

Will, you left out "How to Maintain Your Sanity when a client has ZERO art budget and is expecting you to do a project for free, having never met you before."

[@monikadraws]

He doesn't need to mention clients like that because you simply don't work with them. Ever.

[@mrrabid9602]

But what do you do! Thats all I ever have to deal with . People wanting it for free! I have done this in the past. But Where do you draw the line. No pun. lol. Perhaps the UK is not the place to be an chimerical artist.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

@@mrrabid9602 It gets easier to say no as time goes on. As i got older, I found that eventually people understood that what you do is work, just like what they do is work. They stop asking for free stuff 'because it will be good for your portfolio".

[@myrsinivloutoglou5979]

OMG!!! You're right on the money with this vid Will. Thank you for sharing :)

[@TheMinnabiggs]

Well done Will! So helpful! Thank you!

[@willterryart]

You're welcome - yes - I find it interesting that teachers don't like to talk about pricing. In business school they talk about this sort of thing all the time...

[@almetasfinearts]

Thank You! This video was very helpful and relatable.

[@77Marvin77]

Thank you so much for your kind and helpful response! I just found your videos and I am enjoying them immensely! =)

[@lizcraft17]

Thank you for sharing this information. I find it very helpful.

[@willterryart]

You're very welcome!

[@willterryart]

That's a great idea for a topic...hmmm...I'll have to put that one on the list...very complex.

[@Larasatiev]

This helps me a lot 😃 thank you so much for making this video

[@MindPalaceASMR]

Mr Terry you are a wonderful person, I wish you were my teacher at Uni! :) Great video, many artists are afraid to talk about 'the numbers' nowadays. I would like to hear your opinion on the types of clients that an illustrator will approach,I find myself in this position, I want to make great deals and get great clients and for that I will have to make the gap from small clients towards publishers , also on how to make a strong impression on the publishers.

[@marietVF]

Thanks a lot, so useful, I loved most of your advises.. but I´m kind of disagree (not totally) with the point of pricing depending what I have to pay in that month, maybe we would be taking an unnecessary risk, wouldn´t we?

[@melissaludik484]

Brilliant video! Thank you so much!

[@antoinettegriffin5176]

Nice job! Very helpful

[@CharlotteLittleMischief]

This has helped me so much, thank you thank you thank you !

[@51lodb]

Thanks for the great advice and tips!

[@GarrickMarchena]

Awesome advise!! Thank you very much Will!

[@SG-qb9wo]

This is very good advise, thank you for sharing!

[@Inma.V]

Thank you Terry! Very helpful! Just what I needed :-)

[@mallorycarlson1394]

Haha, I'm so sorry Will, I called you by your last name! I was up way too late (since I just purchased your How to Illustrate Children's books series! They were really helpful!!) and I was too tired to think properly, sorry about that haha.

[@leonorgracamoura2416]

Thanks Will! Really loved this one :)

[@jessicacarapella9955]

Thank you!

[@Schraverus]

Thank you for this video! I have one question. My bottom line is in part dependent on what other artists are earning. I might at first think $500 for a job is just enough to do it, but if I then find out other artist always get at least $1500 my bottom line would move up because I don't like being taken advantage of. So would the GAG handbook be useful to be in the right ballpark before you determine a bottom price? Or do you think it would still be misleading?