At what point do we publicly announce a minimum day rate under which no freelancer will go? The news this week about what C-level titles are paid is sickening. This is feudalism. Surfs unite!

likesmart
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I completely agree. So sick of agencies asking me to work for $500-800/day. I have 18 years of experience. Goddammit

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I disagree with that scale. It’s 700 minimum, 800 for juniors, 900-1000 for mid levels, 1200-1800 for seniors with awards, and higher for the superstars. It’s always been the scale. When you except less than this you’re completely undervaluing entire community. There really needs to be some kind of organized indisputable pay scale. Without freelance talent agencies can’t maintain their current staffing levels. They need us. Where is our normal Ray?

likesmart

I missed that- where’s the C-suite news that you’re referencing?

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Serfs*

likehelpful

^ probably?
Not entirely your fault. Agencies have been pushing down rates for years... trying to establish “low” as the new normal

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I agree. Once you work below the rate you want it’s hard to get hired again at a higher rate, and impossible to get extended at a higher rate

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Juniors : 500 min
Mid: 750 min
Sr: 900 min

Give or take...?

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Creative Talent Director: not so sure about your second piece of advice. Reducing your rate to "build a relationship" is akin to an agency saying "do it for the exposure!" when they don't want to pay the proper amount.

Now the agency has people on record at a lower rate and they can (and will) use that to lowball you and the next guy.

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Agencies drastically cutting day rates is a moral crime. They are taking advantage of how many people are out of work. I understand this is business and economics but these are also human beings. They can support multiple chief marketing officers chief digital officers chief innovation officers and still kick profits up to their holding companies, they can pay the people who do the work a living wage.

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Smurfs*

Just this week I saw a retoucher offering her services for $5 an image. Smh

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Depends on the city. In my experience, base CD rate is only 1000 in Chicago, but it’s 1200+ in NYC and LA and 1600 in Silicon Valley. Add on to that if you’re super in demand.

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Couldn’t agree more with OP. Stick to it.

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Welcome to our world. My rate can change by up to 75% depending on jobs and whims i guess, same client/agency will low ball You then pay an A lister a Kings wages for the same job

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I think it’s important to say that the Median amounts mentioned by CD 2 are best case scenario. Yes, a freelance CD in NY can get $1200 or more, but there are just as many settling for 700-800 a day. I know several. And ageism is rampant in freelance. So those former SVP/GCDs will either not find any work, or be grateful for $800.

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I wonder if those numbers include stock options.

^ am I undervaluing myself that much??

23 million 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️😕

Sure.... it’s called a union. What would you be willing to pay in dues?

As someone who hires lots of freelancers I agree for the most part with OP rates, but the junior rate is definitely inflated. You build value when you build your credibility with a body of great work to show for it and a track record for nailing briefs quickly. If you don’t have the talent to back up the rate you’re asking you will not be called back. Freelancers can ask for whatever they can want but you won’t get it if you won’t deliver. If I were a freelance creative I’d openly start new agency relationships with a slightly lower trial rate, kill it and then tell them you’re goi g to raise it a little more once you prove yourself. Humbleness is like gold in this business.

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