Tips to Help You Maximize Your Graphic Design Salary

By Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

The trick to operating a successful freelance graphic design business is to earn the maximum dollar amount for the work that you do, plain and simple. And you might have already found out that this isn't the easiest task to accomplish. Here are some proven methods for maximizing your graphic design salary.

So you've decided to quit the graphic design firm and go at it alone. Smart decision, as freelancers often make a much higher salary than their company counterparts. But unless you know how to maximize your profits, you may find the freelance road rough in the beginning.

But don't worry. You can follow the trail blazed by thousand of graphic design pros to get the highest salary possible for your projects.

Graphic Design Salary Boosters
Here are some tried and true techniques that the top freelance design pros use to pull in hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

• Price Right. The easiest way to earn maximum salary is to price your work in line with other professionals. Ask colleagues and search the Internet to determine what the going fees are for the work that you do.
• Find Your Niche. Specializing in a particular project niche will position you as an expert and allow you to earn more. For example, direct mail graphic design projects pay considerably higher than routine web designs.
• Make a Deal. The top paid freelance graphic designers typically receive royalties for their work. Again, with respect to direct mail, you can structure your contract so that you get a percentage of how many mailings are sent.

Work Smarter, Not Harder
Once you've negotiated the best price possible, there are some things you can do during the design process that will keep the time you spend on a project down to a minimum, thereby maximizing your salary.

• Use Templates. There's no need to reinvent the wheel every time you create a new concept. Most projects are very similar to each other if they fall in a familiar niche. Use templates to reduce your work time and earn more.
• Extend Projects. Many times, a business will need several communication pieces (think Web page, print ads, etc.). Suggest to your client that you produce multiple pieces and raise your salary.

Follow these techniques and you'll soon see your graphic design salary shoot through the roof.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.