Dear Creative: How much are you worth?

Know your worth and then add TAX! That’s the gospel that is currently being preached across the media these days. Everyone seems to be in this sudden frenzy of knowing their self-worth. It’s like a position high up there that we all must attain if we are to be considered serious. 

Drawing from my experience though, I have come to the conclusion that:

• Knowing your self-worth actually starts with not knowing it. 

• No one is ever going to give you what you’re worth. What you get is fair compensation and I’m talking millions in dollars here.

• Knowing your self-worth is a journey and it starts with YOU.

The Newbie Phase 

I remember when I started my first internship with a growing digital agency. My boss had instructed me to draft a content calendar for a client. My diligent excited self opted to post six times a day! 

Let me tell you what I was thinking; “It’s just Facebook and Instagram, how hard can it be to just post a common picture.” Yeah?

My boss stopped and looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes and went, “Oh you can do six? Interesting, do six!” And off I went, ready to save the world! One month down the line, I came back begging to do three posts a day. 

Now, it’s been five years, do you think I would ever overpromise like that to any client without billing them? Yup! 

THAT’S THE MESSAGE.

“Your Budget is Small But I’ll Do it for You” Phase

At this phase, you really just started gaining ground and a lot of folks think you’re creative but won’t give you fair compensation. 

You’re scared to charge what your skills are worth because you need the small change.

The lowest paying clients will stress you the MOST but you’re still a low-level rookie and mid-level expert.

The thing about this phase is, don’t let it be all about the money. Despite the fact that you have a cranky client that keeps trying to teach you your job, ALWAYS DELIVER EXCELLENCE. Look, it’s a crazy cycle and it will come back at you. 

At this level, you’re growing and gaining experience but you have to be in tune with yourself. Good enough to know when it’s time to leave. I literally woke up one day and dropped two naughty clients. I was done…

But before you go ahead and drop clients, note that I had already started working a full 9-5 at a better organization. I was earning and also being exposed to greater possibilities so I was at another level of knowing my self-worth.

“I’m sorry but that Budget won’t Work” Phase

I remember the first time I said this to a client. I charged my happy price with my full chest but with my heart in my mouth. 

And guess what?

They said No. But I held my ground. Their loss or whatever.

And as I continued to invest in myself, focus on work and believe for the best, the ONE client finally came and it was worth it.

I’ve published my first novel, worked with people from different walks of life, made money I never thought was possible at my level but IT WAS ALL A PROCESS and it still is. 

I know that a year from now, I’ll have discovered a new level of my worth and I hope you will too. Knowing your SELF WORTH as a creative is not a final stop. It’s a journey that you should embrace fully.

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