Agreeing a Fee: The Process Members  

What are you worth? Does your client have that much money? Do you have the confidence to ask for it? How do you get your fee when the job's done?

Introduction

Many illustrators feel a little awkward about discussing money. Anxious to please and faced with a client who wants the job done yesterday, some fear they may cause offence by broaching the subject. No illustrator should have such qualms. In fact, it would be irresponsible and unprofessional were you not to talk business. Take heart in the knowledge that the money in question rarely belongs to the individual who commissions you.

An overview of fees

Generally, editorial fees are fixed and dictated by circulation, advertising revenue, etc. Unless you're very well established and/or in high demand, you're advised to accept what is offered, within reason. Most magazines are fairly forthcoming about their budgets and tend to pay on a sliding scale - i.e. according to the amount of space afforded to the printed image. In the case of spot illustrations, it might not always be possible to predict this in advanc