How much to pay?

[GlamGirl]

What is a fair percentage of profit to pay an artist whose work you want to put on products to sell? HELP!

[BusinessAdviser]

As little as you have to.

[PBX]

I would think it would be a one time fee.

[Phranksizzle]

I would definately try and lowball them. Whatever you think is fair and half that. (and definately a one time fee)

[justjoan]

I agree with the one-time fee, since you're going to be doing all the work to sell the products-- or, as a compromise, offer a "bonus" as you sell a certain amount of units-- this may help encourage the artist to help you as a joint sales venture.

[Trillion]

Are you referring to a recording artist ?

[entreprenueur3]

Just try and ask the artist how much it will cost you to get them on your product or just try youtube you can see all sorts of stuff their

[Ahern & Brucker]

I disagree with the low ball theory...

If you like the artists work, you should try to figure out a way to pay him the most you can...

Art isn't like buying a toothbrush or a set of tires or cardboard boxes, if you low ball an artist, they will think you are a cheap stingy pathetic louse and while you may get "something cheap" it's certainly no way to build a relationship.

DO you really want the persons art your using to think less of you?

Their are really nice advantages in paying the asking price and maybe a little more to brighten a young artists day... niceness and class and generosity go a long way... more so than stingy and cheap.

[BusinessAdviser]

I disagree with the low ball theory...

If you like the artists work, you should try to figure out a way to pay him the most you can...

Art isn't like buying a toothbrush or a set of tires or cardboard boxes, if you low ball an artist, they will think you are a cheap stingy pathetic louse and while you may get "something cheap" it's certainly no way to build a relationship.

DO you really want the persons art your using to think less of you?

Their are really nice advantages in paying the asking price and maybe a little more to brighten a young artists day... niceness and class and generosity go a long way... more so than stingy and cheap.

That's ridiculous. If you're looking for warm fuzzies, go for it. But if you're looking to make money in business, you've got it wrong, especially when dealing with a one-time transaction, where there is no need to build a relationship. Stingy and cheap is not the same as paying someone an amount that they will accept for their work. It's a business transaction. Use your head.

[Ahern & Brucker]

That's ridiculous. If you're looking for warm fuzzies, go for it. But if you're looking to make money in business, you've got it wrong, especially when dealing with a one-time transaction, where there is no need to build a relationship. Stingy and cheap is not the same as paying someone an amount that they will accept for their work. It's a business transaction. Use your head.

well, everybody has their own way of doing things... I don't know, I've been in business for over 30 years so, I'm pretty much stuck with what works and not just theory.

The artist isn't the guy your making money "from"... your supposed to be making money "from" the product you produce, the value you can show and the customers willingness to purchase it. (and all that goes with it).

Maybe a guy can "save a buck or two" but lowballing the aritst but that's quite different than than "making money"... at least real money.

You have to "try" to rise above your scavenger or predator instincts or philosophy about business... if your in it for the long haul and not just trying to make some easy spare change until your next big idea.

your business relations should last a lifetime... (or at least strive for that) it's not about warm fuzzies, it's about who you are.

you might want to give it some deeper thought.

[SmarterGroup]

You need to consider the value to you/your business of the particular artist.

Personally I wouldn't want to be lowballing someone (mentioned above!) if I wanted them to continue working for me. Business has to be win-win otherwise there is no real incentive for both parties to continue working together.

For one of my businesses, SmarterHousing, I have just taken on a girl from a local estate agent and am paying her more than the average wage for such a position in other companies. I am hoping that with some guidance she will develop within the firm and actually provide a much bigger benefit to the company than the additional outlay in terms of wages.

[terryxu]

one cent only

[RLorenzen]

I agree with Jonathen. You're not a charity. Pay as little as you have to.

[BusinessAdviser]

You're not "low balling" someone by offering them something they're willing to accept.

[niaz14]

a toothbrush or a set of tires or cardboard boxes, if you low ball an artist, they will think you are a cheap stingy pathetic louse and while you may get "something cheap"