It costs nothing to watch on Hulu. The DVD is only $10. And if you want to hold a pop-up screening and share it with friends and neighbors, I’ll even send you a copy for the exact cost Kunaki charges me to print and ship it (which in the US comes to $5.20).
But for screenings where I have to travel and spend time away from my family and freelancing, there’s a fee. Depending how long I’m gone and how many screenings I do in a trip, that rate varies. But it’s always agreed upon well in advance between me and the groups or individuals sponsoring it.
Pamela Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation
This weekend, Pamela Slim (author of the must-read book Escape From Cubicle Nation and blog by the same name) brought “Lemonade” to Phoenix to screen alongside LaidOffCamp; not as an official part of Saturday’s event, but the night before. (LOC has strict rules about keeping everything free and having the speakers be volunteers).
Pam had set out to rally sponsors, but in the end didn’t get 100% of the fee we agreed upon. Not wanting the balance to come out of her or any individual’s pocket, I offered to lower my rate. Almost immediately, she declined. “This is the agreement we had. And it’s not on you to lower your fee.”
She then went on to use this as a teaching moment (one of many she provided me over the weekend). Setting parameters for business is important. Sticking to them is even more important. Owning your position and being confident and unapologetic about the value you’re providing is paramount.
Chris Brogan recently received a lot of flack about charging $22k/day. Some people think he’s way overpaid for teaching people about social media. But did he back down? Did he aplologize? Did he say he’d lower his rate just because some people think it’s too much? No. He’s teaching businesses how to use new media and connect with new audiences, and he’s doing it better than anyone else on the planet. One could even make an intelligent argument that he’s undercharging.
Pamela Slim turned down an offer to save money so she could teach me something. You don’t meet people like that every day. And when you do, it’s important accept their wisdom and live their lessons.
Thank you, Pam.
6 Comments
Is $22K a day a typo? Because if not… he is overcharging. No different than wall street bankers getting what they get paid. No one has a “value” of 22K a day. That is, in an inarguable word, ridiculous.
Nope, not a typo. And, while it seems absurd to us paupers, who else besides him can offer what he offers? The difference is that Wall St bankers were getting that kind of money for making people poorer. They are thieves. Brogan is actually providing something.
Now, will he command that forever? I think the market will catch up to his knowledge and social media will eventually be more commoditized.
But for now, he’s riding the wave of his fame. He knows it. And he isn’t ashamed of it.
I know if I could command that, I would. Wouldn’t you?
This is SUCH great advice. I’m always mulling my rates and fretting over whether I’m worth it, especially when the waters get rough. Yup, believing in your value and being willing to work hard to persuade others you’re worth what you say you are, possibly more, is damn hard to do. But always, always worth it.
Jeff
Erik,
It sounds like the Phoenix event went well. As you know, Arizona has been one of the hardest hit States. I’m fortunate enough to still be employeed (for now), however I have told lots of my downsized friends & colleagues in my industry (banking) about Lemonade. You did such a great job! Yes, Pamela Slim is fantastic! I became aware of Lemonade via her EscapeFromCubicleNation site.
Erik, I’ll keep spreading the word about your film.
Rob
Tucson, Arizona
This is SUCH great advice. I’m always mulling my rates and fretting over whether I’m worth it, especially when the waters get rough. Yup, believing in your value and being willing to work hard to persuade others you’re worth what you say you are, possibly more, is damn hard to do. But always, always worth it.
Jeff
This is SUCH great advice. I’m always mulling my rates and fretting over whether I’m worth it, especially when the waters get rough. Yup, believing in your value and being willing to work hard to persuade others you’re worth what you say you are, possibly more, is damn hard to do. But always, always worth it.
Jeff
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