I quoted a custom piece for a client, she said yes immediately, and now I'm sure I left money on the table
So I've been doing this thing where I quote what feels scary high, trying to push past the old numbers.
Last month a woman reached out about a memorial piece, wanted me to work with her dad's old survey maps, some letters, a few other things. I took a breath and said $1,200. She said "perfect" before I even finished the sentence.
Which should feel great, right? Instead I spent the whole week thinking I could've said $1,800 and she would've said the same thing. I don't know where the ceiling is because I've never hit it. I'm just guessing in the dark and every time someone says yes I feel like I lost a negotiation I didn't know I was in.
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oh man I feel this in my bones 😭 the yes being almost worse than the no because you just sit there doing the math on what you COULD have said. I did that for months when I first started selling originals, I'd quote something, they'd say yes, and I'd immediately be like "well damn I just left $200 on the table."
but honestly?? you did the hard part which is you actually said the scary number out loud. that's the bit most of us never do. $1,200 for a memorial piece incorporating maps and letters and custom work, that's real money and she didn't blink. next time you'll know you can push it. and the time after that you'll push it again. it's just... practice being uncomfortable I think.
also a memorial piece hits different emotionally for the client, they're probably not shopping around, they want it to be right. doesn't mean you undercharged, just means you were the person she wanted. that's worth something too.
the part about her having a number already in mind, that honestly helps. i'd been turning it over like i miscalculated something, but yeah, she knew what this was worth to her before i opened my mouth. doesn't mean i won't still second-guess next time though lol.