It goes back to the old definition of a contract: an agreement between two parties in which the needs of both are met. Emphasize 'both.' I saw a presentation by the successful illustrator Tom Lynch at an AMI meeting and would recommend looking at how he conducts business. He makes business an adventure not an onerous chore. When I was out there hoofin' it I tried some of his methods with good results. Check out his website: http://www.tomlynch.com/default.htm Probably the most important business lesson I ever learned, that has worked very well in life in general, I learned in New York City: Everything is negotiable. Joan On Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at 10:24 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote: > Pricing is a highly variable commodity in Natural Science art. Where > you are > located, the size of the client, how important the job is to the > client, how > much you need the work, > and what the work can do for you in the future. I don't believe in > price > fixing either. Nor is my hourly fee the same for every client. > Sometimes I prefer > to do a flat rate because it can help me negotiate a better contract. > Ultimately you want the client not to just buy from you once. But, > develop the client > as a resource to reorder and become a long term source of income > especially > if you are freelance. > > Developing and training the client is foremost. Firstly make them call > you. > Don't slobber over them and beg. Let them taste those art bones and > sit up high > for your art. What good is a high price if they only come around once > for a > nibble. You want to be fair to the client. I don't underprice. I price > it so > that the client will want more, , ,