Get my free guide 'marketing for introverts'

Put the fork down.
Step away from the cold beans.

Steal my Live Illustration Pricing Guide

Look, I'm not shy about
sharing real life numbers.
And I know how brutal the
mindset stuff can be / how
uncomfortable it can feel
going from working in retail or
childcare, and then trying not to be sick in your own mouth when you start quoting in the thousands for a day's work.

Look, I'm not shy about sharing real life numbers. And I know how brutal the mindset stuff can be / how uncomfortable it can feel going from working in retail or childcare, and then trying not to be sick in your own mouth when you start quoting in the thousands for a day's work.

This isn't a "U GOT THIS, JUST CHARGE MORE" thing (yuck)

Most of us start out undercharging, and it's not your fault.

Nobody tells you the numbers. They're reeeeally quiet about this sort of stuff at Art Schools and colleges #NotAllArtSchools (but most of 'em). People are a bit weird and shy about talking openly about money. So, we stumble around in the dark, charging peanuts, and cry when we can't afford to get our car fixed.

I'm not a magical unicorn, I just figured out some stuff, and now I can't shut up about it.

Grab a cuppa, let's sit down, and let me tell you exactly what I charge, and what the going rate is nowadays for live event illustration and graphic recording. It might sting, it might feel really exciting. It might trigger the fuck out of you, BUT you might also earn a few hundred more quid on your very next job. Nice.

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Katie Chappell

Lilac Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Mint Hash

Katie Chappell

Yellow Asterisk

Marketing mentor for illustrators

Here's what's inside

01.

The absolute minimum hourly rate you should be charging as a beginner in live event illustration, so you can work up from there (proper numbers, I promise)

02.

Why "hourly" is never ever just an hour, and how to price all the other bits so you don't end up accidentally working minimum wage

03.

The nitty gritty: deposits, minimum bookings, expenses, travel time, post-event edits and tax shite, sorted

"When I saw the suggested budgets I first swore, then swore some more, then scribbled all over my day rate papers and upped my prices by hundreds."

- Cassandra

Right, questions.

I'm just starting out and my work's not quite there yet... Does this still apply to me? +

Yes. That minimum rate applies to newbies. You'll be a bit rubbish at first, everyone is/was, me included (I still cringe). Charging properly forces you to up your game. Undercharging damages the industry, and doesn't give you the kick up the butt you need to create your very best work.

I'm not in the UK, will the numbers still help? +

They will! I'm UK based so I talk in pounds and pence, but my framework and mindset stuff will work wherever you are. Just apply your own nuance and discernment.

Is this for live illustration or graphic recording or scribing? +

Yes. All of the above. I've noticed that the rates for live portraits and fashion/brand work etc. seem to be a bit wonky (lower) but maybe it's because nobody has published a minimum-rates guide like this for them yet. Come on, event portrait illustrators. Pull together! Stop undercutting each other and making it a race to the bottom 😅

How long will it take to read? +

It's a proper meaty read. Definitely grab a cuppa and maybe read it in 2 sittings.

for the love of baked beans

up your bloody rates

Pop your details in below and I'll send the pricing guide straight to your inbox. Read it, pick a number, and start charging rates that reflect the incredible, highly-skilled and valuable work us graphic recorders and live illustrators do.