Help MORE people by not compromising your fees

I’ve had occasion to read, recently, a concept I find intriguing. To be honest, I find it intriguing more in the way a human would be intrigued when seeing an alien for the first time, than anything else.

It’s the concept of pricing one’s services based on what clients who need help can pay. And it seems to come from a very real and genuine place—a desire to be of service and to really help the people who need help.

Where my head tilt comes in is that I don’t see how those who set their fees appropriately and don’t change them for anyone—regardless of circumstance--aren’t being of equal service and don’t equally help the people who need help.

I mean, the grocery store doesn’t change the price of eggs based on what each person who wants eggs can pay. Eggs cost what eggs cost, and, while perhaps sorry if someone can’t afford the eggs, the price is the price.

And you know, funny that…because even in this down economy that everyone talks about, eggs still cost whatever eggs cost. And your services should, too.

Bit O’Moxie: In the same way that you can’t have everything—because you’d have no place to put it all, you can’t work with everyone—because you’d kill yourself trying. Therefore, don’t lower your fees, don’t pay a lick of attention to what’s going on in this world, continue to do what you do, and charge your appropriately set fees for it—and not a lick less.

In doing so, you actually help MORE people. You make a difference for those you help, and shine a light for all those who think they need to do more for less, or who would ask you to do more for less. By showing them that you are successful without compromising you show them that they can do it, too. And honestly--a hand up is usually far better than a hand out.

And for those who need help and can’t afford it from you? Trust that someone, somewhere, will give them what they need, think good thoughts for them, and send them on their way. You can’t possibly help everyone, nor should you try.

Comments

[Teresa]

I love your philosophy here. It is a philosophy and business practice I learned the hard way and many virtual professionals need to adopt this, now! We cannot keep lowering our rates, thus lowering the value of our services. We ARE business owners and should value the years upon years of education and professional experience we've gained. And besides wouldn't you want ideal clientele that values QUALITY over PRICE? The better your rates are in line with the quality you strive to provide, the better you'll be able to serve your clients...they should see you as a partner in business not just a glorified employee.

[Glor]

Huh! So I'm not the ONLY one who believes this.

I find, time and time again, that the customers who pay the MOST for my poodle skirts -- and spend the most -- are my best customers.

When a skirt sells for the opening bid on eBay (I occasionally list them as auctions), instead of the customers saying, 'Wow! I got this for a song and a dance!,' they never fail to find something 'wrong' and complain.

[Sydni Craig-Hart]

Bless you for writing this post!!! I am truly pained by seeing so many in our industry undermining themselves by letting their clients dictate how much their time is worth. What is the difference between that and a J-O-B? None as far as I can see.

IMO, if you allow someone else (anyone else) to decide what you're worth, then you have no business being in business. Successful business owners stand up for themselves. They make decisions about what's best for their business. The are confident in their abilities and refuse to sell themselves short because a particular client doesn't value their expertise.

Thanks for continuing to inspire the global VA community on this topic Stacy!! I truly hope we will all take your advice to heart.

Warm regards,

Sydni

Sydni Craig-Hart
Founder, Executive Assistant to Virtual Assistant!

Visit www.EAtoVA.com to get your copy of my FREE
Special Report, “The Liberated Executive Assistant:
How to Break Free From The Corporate Grind and
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[Angie Mattson]

Bravo, Stacy!!!

[Deborah Hanchey]

Thanks for these great thoughts. I haven't had my first customer, and I've already gone up on my rates 3 times. The more I read about the profession of "Virtual Assistant", the more I come to realize exactly what my services are worth.

[Terri Zwierzynski]

Right on, Stacy! You won't find big businesses lowering prices just because folks can't afford it. Small and solo businesses should be no different. And that doesn't mean you don't care about those folks, either. You are running a business, not a charity -- you *have* to make a profit to stay in business. Otherwise you won't be around to help your ideal clients later!

[Ashley Storey]

I remember the first time someone asked me to lower my rate. I have to say, I was very tempted because business is business. But I remembered what I learned in the VTP and stuck to my guns. I'm so glad the AssistU community supports this mindset!