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20 Replies Last post: Apr 24, 2009 12:42 PM by Iwrite

Logo Design and Giving Back

Jan 24, 2008 10:38 PM

Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
Hello,
I have been a graphic designer for over 10 years and finally decided to start my own business. I finally got the guts with the encouragement of friends and family. I am focusing on logo design. I would like to encourage help from my community by offering $50.00 for any referrals. 5% discount to the person who uses the referral code. What do you think?
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Click to view sojome's profile Start-up sojome 4 posts since
Jan 16, 2008
1. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 24, 2008 11:11 PM
do you do web sites ?
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
2. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 24, 2008 11:16 PM
Sojome,
Yes, I do Web sites.
Click to view SpartanWarior's profile Mogul SpartanWarior 32 posts since
Jan 2, 2008
3. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 27, 2008 12:22 AM
in response to: Cyan_MYK
Cyan_MYK,

How many repeat customers do you have? To me, it seems like repeat business could be low because businesses dont need logos on a large scale. So even if there are repeat customers, they will be for a few logos.

How much do you charge for a logo? Let's say you charge $100. It means that after you shell out $50, you will be left with only $50. If you can't get enough repeat customers, it means you get half your earnings. Will that be ok with you?

Just to summarize, You may be giving a little too much if you give away $50 per referral.

I would recommend you focus on giving great logos so you can get referrals without the $50 incentive.

Cheers,
Spartan
Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 8,136 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
4. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 27, 2008 5:59 AM
Like you, I also believe in Giving Back. I am a Quickbooks Consultant with clients all over
the country. The first session is FREE and give back 25% of future fees
You can contact me at " pdeig@juno.com "
You should go to Members page and tell us a few words about you and your business
LUCKIEST
Click to view freebrd005's profile Start-up freebrd005 1 posts since
Jan 21, 2008
5. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM
I have experience with graphics and I know that while some designers are grossly overpaid, some are grossly underpaid as well. Build your reputation via your past clients. NETWORK.

Most people who want logos are some sort of business or organization. Perhaps you should go back to the people who paid you for your work (employers, friends who requested favors, etc.) and ask them for referrals and maybe you can work a percentage commission or a service you can provide that is not too time consuming.

Here's one of my random ideas...I'm good at these...but what if you give back to the community by looking for organizations such as charity and non-profits and make the offer directly. They usually have a lot of marketing and media press releases...if not at least some media coverage. If you can, get an agreement for them to name you and display your work (logo) publicly, you can score big time!

Donating to local organizations will reward you in kind if you can afford it.

It's cheaper than the $50 you want to give away and it may be more productive in the long-run.

Just a thought. But for the record, I think the amount you plan to give out is very generous. Too generous.
Click to view Lighthouse24's profile Founders Lighthouse24 2,402 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
6. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 29, 2008 2:28 PM

Offering a $50 reward for referrals may be a good idea for large consumer products like new cars or swimming pools, but not for a professional service that's provided to other businesses. When someone refers a new client or work to you, it is more appropriate to express your appreciation on the back end. Trying to "buy" referrals up front can be perceived as "tacky."

Another problem with rewards like this in a business-to-business climate is deciding who gets the $50 -- the person who gave the referral, or his/her company? A lot of companies would see an ethical dilemma here (and perhaps even suspect that a "kickback" arrangement exists between you and the individuals involved) so your plan could actually discourage referrals rather than increasing them.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 672 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
7. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Jan 29, 2008 8:17 PM
Are you a print reseller?

When I was an active graphic designer, I offered the design free when customers bought 1000 business cards in 4 colors, and just make profit on print, and never charged for typesetting. Customers loved this deal, it is just my 2 cents :-)
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
8. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:12 PM
in response to: NatOnline
NatOnline,
Thank you for the advice. I am a print reseller and a print buyer. I have actually made such an offer before.
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
9. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:15 PM
in response to: Lighthouse24
Lighhouse24,
You are right about the ethics issue. I didn't think about how this could be perceived as a kick back. I do not want to be tacky as I am trying to start a professional logo design company. Thank you for your answer.
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
10. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:19 PM
in response to: freebrd005
freebrd005,
Thank you for your great idea! You are right in saying that some designers are over paid and some are underpaid. I try to fall somewhere in between. I also agree that maybe $50.00 is too generous. I will let you know how it turns out if you want to know.
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
11. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:21 PM
in response to: LUCKIEST
LUCKIEST,
I will take you advice and fill in a little more information on myself. I will keep your contact information for future reference. Thank you.
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
12. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:23 PM
in response to: SpartanWarior
SpartanWarior,
Thank you for your recommendation. It was very helpful. I think I will scrap the idea of the $50 incentive.
Click to view pistolpete's profile Professional pistolpete 4 posts since
Feb 5, 2008
13. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:25 PM
I am actually looking for a logo designer for my new business. I am not looking for the cheapest (been there, done that) but someone to work with that is reasonably priced. There seems to be a lot of hype on the Internet for these services. The cheap ones don't help much with the creative part and the established ones want to charge you like you are Fortune 100. If you would like me to describe what I am looking for and want to put something together, let me know how I can communicate with you outside this forum.
Click to view Cyan_MYK's profile Authority Cyan_MYK 12 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
14. Re: Logo Design and Giving Back Feb 5, 2008 4:27 PM
TO EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED:

Thank you very much for your responses. I am so glad that I posted my question here! The answers were very informative and helpful. Although my intentions were good, this was a bad idea from a business stand point. I hope that I can give back as a resource in this forum in the same way the forum has given to me. Thank you again.
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