Like most creatives, we come back from our studies ready to solve all the design problems. Menu? Logo? Brand kits? We got you. We're excited—finally, we get to do what we love and get paid for it.

Oh… if only it were that easy.

Problem: How do you charge a fair price when clients don’t see the value?

Some might say, “You’re talking to the wrong clients,” but trust me—I’ve worked with the full range, and that alone doesn’t fix the problem.

Solution: Build relationships, not just client lists.

The biggest saving grace in my career has been building relationships with brands and clients I actually like—who, in turn, like my work and respect my craft. When there’s mutual trust, I can educate them on the value of good design, and they can help me understand their challenges.

This makes pricing a conversation, not a battle. Negotiation is your friend—it’s not a weapon to offend or devalue anyone.

Problem: Who is the “right” client?

The client climate in Zambia? A game of roulette. 🎰 You never know who will be great and who won’t.

Ironically, some of the biggest names are the worst when it comes to payment and communication. I’ve gone a whole year without payment from a major, well-known company (yes, a brand you probably use every day). Meanwhile, I’d see the owner at restaurants and pubs multiple times—so the money was clearly there.

Then there are the last-minute demanders—clients who expect five or more 30-second animations in 10 days while taking forever to respond to emails and conveniently forgetting to send the assets needed to finish the job.

But here’s the thing—you won’t know who’s good or bad until you take the risk. The golden clients who pay on time and communicate well? Hold onto them for dear life. Send them Christmas cards. Heck, send them birthday messages if you have to.

Problem: How do you manage scope creep?

Contracts are your best friend, but let’s be real—some clients get scared off when they hear the word contract. (Which is funny, because that’s usually the exact reason you need one.)

A simpler approach I love? Define scope clearly in your initial conversations and, most importantly, in your quotations.

🚫 Don’t just quote for a “1 minute 30-second animation.”
✅ Quote per 30 seconds of animation.

This way, if the project creeps into 2 or 4 minutes, your price scales automatically, and there’s no room for last-minute renegotiation.

Which brings me to something I wish was more common here…

Hourly billing. 😍

But that’s a topic for another blog post.

Final Thoughts: Hammer On! 🔨

Be brave, fellow creatives! It’s not easy, but we actually love what we do—and isn’t that the dream?

Until next time,
Hammer On.