Do you wonder if you’re really worth what you charge?

Do you question if something that is spiritually fulfilling should include a price tag?
 

Then it’s time to discover how to feel good about yourself and the prices you charge.

It’s time to learn how The Declaration of You will lead to more PROFIT!

This post is part of The Declaration of You’s Blog Lovin’ Tour, which I’m thrilled to participate in alongside over 200 other creative bloggers. Learn more – and join us! – by clicking here. The Declaration of You gives readers all the permission they’ve craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do!

When you read those three questions did you wonder if I had a spycam in your office? Or had developed a sixth sense and was reading your mind?

Fear not! Those three questions are ones I’ve heard countless times from clients and colleagues. You are not alone in this struggle. Even better – there is a way to tackle it.

Let’s take these one at a time.

Evaluating Your TRUE Worth

Alternate Title: If you were someone else you’d be impressed.

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked, “Am I really worth that price? Who am I to charge $X?” I would be rich. Really, really rich.

The short answer.

Yes you ARE worth it.

 
I know it. Your brain knows it. Now we just need your gut and that icky inner demon of negativity to know it.

Here’s how. It’s simple, yet incredibly effective.

Take out a piece of paper, or if you prefer, open up a word document. If music helps you think, put on your favorite artist. For the next 10 minutes I want you to write about yourself, your accomplishments, your uniqueness, your credentials and anything else that comes into your head. I’ve given you a list below, however that is meant as a prompter. The only requirement – it must be something positive.

• Are you inspiring? Supportive? Steady? How do others around you describe you?
• How many years have done this? Honed this skill (and independent study counts!)?
• What are your professional credentials?
• Think about feedback you’ve received from customers or clients. Does your painting light up their living room? Is your fresh innovative approach to marketing a godsend?
• List any awards, accolades or acknowledgements you’ve received.
• What are some noteworthy accomplishments? Published a book? Done a Ted talk? Organized a successful fundraising event for a non-profit?
• List skills and abilities that are easy as breathing for you. Especially ones that others often say, “Wow that is SO hard for me.”

Done? Take your piece of paper and start reading it out loud. Imagine you’re presenting someone else as a speaker, presenter or award recipient. Imagine the audience’s reaction.

You ARE worth. In fact, you’re a steal!

Conquer the Self-Doubt Monster

Alternate Title: Get rid of the second guessing blues

Time to tackle agonizing over quoting prices, often preemptively dropping the amount before the client even sees it. You’ve taken a major step in the right direction with the first exercise.

You know you’re worth it, but still worry the client won’t see it. The most common mantra excuse I hear is that “some work, some cash, is better than none”. Not true!

Working for less than your real value puts your business into a downward spiral.

By quoting and working for less than your real value you’re creating a Catch-22 that gets harder to escape every day. Consider these facts:

• If you normally charge $100 an hour and do some work for only $50 that leaves two possible outcomes. Either you need to charge the next client $150 an hour (yeah right) or you accept a 50% paycut. Who willingly accepts a 50% pay cut?
• Why do you think a client who only values you at $50 an hour will magically be willing to pay $100 next time? Guess what, 9 times out of 10 they won’t. They’ll go looking for a cheaper alternative because you didn’t sell them on YOU, you sold them on PRICE.
• Everything is negotiable. If you believe there is genuine budget issue, make your full pitch and include one or more alternate lower cost options which have fewer services or options.
• People talk. If you believe no one else will know you gave a 50% discount to a customer then I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
• If you’re spending all your time winning and executing for low paying clients, when will you have time to find the ones that pay what you are worth?

Spirituality Depends on Balance

Alternate Title: Psychic Vampires kill more than souls

Providing someone services or creating a product for them takes time and energy. To give those things to someone without an equal exchange creates an imbalance in the relationship. You are now at a deficit. Do it enough times and you will be figuratively (and maybe literally!) sucked dry.

Would you feel uncomfortable if someone offered you services in return rather than money? Keep in mind money is simply a symbol of the energy your client has already expended. You are exchanging energy for energy, keeping the balance.

Here are just a few other negative effects of not engaging in equal exchanges:

• When something is free it is often devalued. Imagine you have two eBooks in your inbox. You only paid for one of them. Which will you read first?
• Wanting something for nothing also shows a lack of respect for what you do. When I respect what someone does I want them to be compensated.
• If you can’t make a living you won’t be able to keep doing what you are doing. Then everyone loses.

There’s nothing wrong with a freebie to welcome people and allow them to get to know you. I offer a free eCourse on Taming Your Fear of Finance. And I’ve also seen people offer scholarships. However those scholarships have an application process and are given to a limited number of people. This ensures that they are valued, and given to those who have a legitimate need.

Final Thoughts

Do you have a different dilemna not listed here? Are you stuck on exactly how to execute a proposed solution? Perhaps you’ve got your own insights into tackling these challenges.

Sound off below – I value you and your opinions.