Are you being paid what you’re worth? Do you know your worth and that of your work?

When the ball dropped a few weeks ago, did you resolve, “This year, I’m going to value myself, my ideas and my creative work much higher”? 

If you did, good on you. Your kung fu is impressive. If you didn’t, join us in taking it on as a new resolution.

“The Price Went Up”

That question came for us this week as we read this post from Davita Galloway (from whom many of our revelations come). This week, Galloway announced she’d won an award from BroadwayWorld for “Best Costume Design for a Play or Musical” for her work on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

After sharing the news, Davita laid out two clear statements about the award’s impact on her:

1. “The journey is real” 
2. “The price went up”

So, if you want to work with Galloway on fashion design, it’ll cost a little more now. Why? She’s demonstrated that her skills are worth it. She knows her value. The force is strong with that one.

An Act of Courage

Valuing ourselves, our ideas and the products we create properly is a challenge for creatives. It’s not how we get our initial endorphine hit. We’re “fed” by making things, building things, sharing things and collaborating with others to do so. Making money is often a secondary consideration.

And, while we all know that we have to get paid (and paid properly), it’s not the first thing on our minds. For most of us (The Biscuit team included) drafting invoices, writing proposals and following up on payment are chores with little appeal, easily put off in favor of making something.

Many of us break out into a straight-up flop sweat at the dreaded question, “How much do you charge for that?” 

The internal monologue that follows is often – “If I go too low, I’m hurting myself. But, if I go too high, they’ll walk away …” Learning how much to charge, and standing by it can be terrifying and paralzying. But, it’s necessary if we’re going to succeed and keep succeeding as working creatives in Charlotte. It’s an act of courage. And, it must be done.

When it comes to raising prices after we achieve success? Well, we all need to channel our “Inner Davita,” know our worth and say it out loud: “The price went up.”

Exploring Value

That’s a lot easier said than done. How do you break through the nerves and do it? 

In the months ahead for The Biscuit, we’ll work to share information, perspective, opinions and tips on how we creatives can recognize our own value and how we convey that to those who pay us. If you have something to share on the matter, reach out to us HERE … let’s talk.

After all, if we don’t resolve to value ourselves and stand by it, no one will do it for us. Davita hasn’t said those words exactly, but we’re pretty sure she’s thinking i

All good things,

Tim Miner and Matt Olin
Charlotte Is Creative
Publishers of The Biscuit

MAIN PHOTO CREDIT:

Camille Hughes | INSTAGRAM