Yay!! But, HELP!!!!

[ShutteredEye]

Got this email last night:

Robert,

I'm working on a website for a Taos, NM real estate company and we found this photo of Taos Mountain on your PBase site which we'd like to use in the project:
http://www.pbase.com/shutteredeye/image/59586635

Would you be willing to sell us use of this image for the site? Right now it would only appear once on the home page, but we'd hopefully clear-up rights so we could display it anywhere else on the site without limitation.

It's a great shot of the mountain, let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Loren Johnson
FN Group, LLC

I'm really excited, but have absolutely no clue how to go about negotiating a price. Any have a ballpark I should start with? I don't want to undercut the market, but I don't want to scare away my first sale either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[photobykim]

Robert I had this same thing happen in Jan. except it was a magazine (cover image for jcpenney internal employee magazine) -- I had a lot of great advice. there is a link from brad on that thread, i'll see if I can find it for you.

$500 is what I charged.

[brad]

Congrats, Robert! Its an awesome photo.

This site may give you an idea of what to charge: http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm

[LSCSN.com]

I know on SportsShooter.com there are a couple of pricing threads (do a search in the message board area) that say there is some sort of book for computer program that is designed for just such a question.

So if this is the type of stuff you are trying to get into and think this may come up again it might be worth looking into.

[srwatters]

While there may be some guidelines from many sources, in the end it is a business transaction and should be treated as such. I would ask what their budget is for the website development and make sure to write your release clearly stating what it can and cannot be used for. The cannot is nearly as important as the can. I would think that for a web based real estate company, $300-500 would be a reasonable amount. Unless of course the budget for the entire web site is $2K, then you need to re-consider. I'd rather make the sale at a reasonable value, than turn it down simply on principle because your work is worth more than that.

[ShaneKislack]

Usually everyone on this board prices really low, but on this particular usage I think it's a little high....for non-commissioned stock usage that is. When I get approached like this, I tend to price based on what one of the big stock houses charge. Afterall, they could just go there and get a similar pic. If I remember correctly, Corbis charges about $90 for a secondary page and a little over $125 for main page????

But it's a great time to practice your negotiating skills.

[CaptainTom]

Just goes to show that these sorts of things can't be pidgeonholed and need to be negotiatied on an individual basis.
If you say $500 and they say they can't pay that much, ask how much they had in mind.
"for that amount, I can only release rights for one time, or some such restriction that would allow the sale, but not damage your integrity".. good luck, and send us a link when it appears.

[boxofrocks]

My favorite question is "what is your budget for this project/photo/wedding/event/etc.?" Often they come right out and tell you. I've been suprised more than once that there budget is more than I planned to ask. If so, I usually raise "my price" slightly, but come in under their budget so they feel like they're getting a good deal.

[ShutteredEye]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I'll keep you updated....

[timbertoes]

Taos, NM Real estate is not inexpensive from what I understand....so quote them a price relative to the market... that $500 suggestion sounds easily good enough.

[ShaneKislack]

Well there's a lot of numbers being thrown around...so whatever you decide, make sure you're charging fees based off real market values. Be able to justify it other than, "they probably have a lot of money". Not only will it make you more legit in the eyes of your customers but you'll feel better about it yourself.

Scott and Tom have brought up good points. You can base it off budget or off other similar fees.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

My favorite question is "what is your budget for this project/photo/wedding/event/etc.?" Often they come right out and tell you. I've been suprised more than once that there budget is more than I planned to ask. If so, I usually raise "my price" slightly, but come in under their budget so they fell like they're getting a good deal.

I'm with Tom. Ask them what their budget is. Of course sometimes they may act like they have no idea what they may be willing to spend and see who calls who's bluff first. It can be a delicate line between undercutting yourself and scaring them away.

[ShutteredEye]

Yeah, well, she apparently didn't find my offer attractive. No response in a week.

[HotHolly]

Weird. That was a bargain!

[ShaneKislack]

Don't fret. A week is not that long for people that are really busy. A week to us when we have a sale approaching seems like years.