Geezy TED Talk: Stop Undervaluing Your Work
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Geezy TED Talk: Stop Undervaluing Your Work
Let’s cut right to it: if you’re new in the digital design world and your first instinct is to slap a bargain-bin price tag on your work, we need to talk.
Because undercharging might get you quick attention, but it will never build you long-term success.
The “Newbie Discount” Trap
I get it—you’re new. You’re trying to build a name. You think if you make everything dirt cheap, people will buy, share, and your brand will skyrocket.
But here’s the ugly truth:
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When you give your work away for practically nothing, people don’t value it.
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When you set unrealistic pricing (like lifetime drives for $20—yes, I said it), you train your audience to expect unsustainable deals.
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And when you backpedal later—closing a lifetime drive because you realized you screwed up—you don’t just look unprofessional. You burn trust.
And trust, once broken, doesn’t grow back easy.
The Danger of the “Quick Buck”
Selling out for a flash of cash feels good in the moment. But let’s be real:
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You’re not covering your time, your skills, or your expenses.
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You’re draining your energy because you’ll have to work twice as hard for half the money.
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You’re undercutting yourself and everyone else in your industry.
It’s not just about you—it drags the whole community down when customers get used to expecting $20 for something that should cost $200+.
Lifetime Drives: The Cautionary Tale
Let’s use the “lifetime drive” example.
At first, it sounds like a golden idea. Quick sales, instant income, easy advertising: “Pay once, get everything forever!”
But forever is a long time. And as soon as you realize you can’t keep creating for pennies, you shut it down. What happens then?
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Customers who thought they were set for life feel cheated.
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Your reputation takes the hit.
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New customers hesitate, wondering if you’ll pull the plug on them too.
That’s not building a brand. That’s burning one down.
Value Isn’t About Being “New”
Here’s something to remember: your worth doesn’t depend on how long you’ve been in the game.
If you’re producing quality work, if you’re pouring time, creativity, and energy into your designs, then your pricing should reflect that. Period.
Nobody walks into Target and says, “Since you just opened a new location, can I get 90% off my cart?” That’s not how business works. And it shouldn’t be how yours works either.
How to Price with Confidence
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Research Your Market. See what others charge, then price yourself within the realistic range.
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Account for Time & Skill. Your hours matter. Your creativity matters. Don’t pretend they’re free.
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Play the Long Game. Building a sustainable brand means thinking past today’s sales and focusing on reputation.
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Use Discounts Strategically. Sales should be fun, occasional, and build hype—not your default survival strategy.
The Bottom Line
Undercharging doesn’t make you look generous. It makes you look desperate. And desperation doesn’t build thriving businesses—it builds burnout and broken promises.
So stop giving your work away just because you’re “new.”
Stop selling out for a quick buck.
Stop offering deals you can’t sustain.
Your art, your designs, your brand—they’re worth more. Charge like it.
Because here’s the truth: customers who value you will pay. Customers who only chase $20 lifetime drives? They were never your people anyway.
✨ Final Thought: You can’t succeed by giving yourself away. Value your work, protect your reputation, and build something that lasts longer than a flash sale.