Right? Wrong? I don’t care. I only want to do what I do well. But thanks.

I agree with you completely. That’s why I’m announcing, today, that I’m doubling my rates…just kidding.

For many of my clients (though not all) I ask about budget. Do they have a budget for the project we’ll do together? Combining their budget with their needs/expectations has often gotten me clearer on what I need to charge for a specific project.

Business Blogger,

I feel that’s where value comes in. Not how I value myself. But how well I communicate the value I can bring to my clients and their businesses. To me, that’s key. That with honesty, integrity and a desire to be in a relationship with the clients I work with. Often, then, the price is more about whether they can afford the service based on their budget.

Rammel,

First impressions certainly last a long, long time.

Personally, I don’t like to make it about price at all. When I interview a potential client (yes, the interview goes both ways) we talk about them and their needs, wants and expectations. We talk about their business and the problems their business faces. Then I offer solutions and examples of how I can help solve those problems in our work together. The focus is almost completely on the client and their needs. Only after that discussion do we talk about price.

Reason? I want to give. So even in my free 25-minute phone consultation people will often leave with a few solutions to their business issues. I want them to take that with them and so I focus the meeting on that instead of price and then justifications of price.

My motto…Serve First

Not so simple as a simple price comparison…..[/quote]

You have a point there Karin. If you are the client, you might want to choose the fastest and the highest quality while maintaining a fair price.

While if you where the service provider, you might want to give a qood experience to the client. Finish on time, quality work and a happy client/customer.

[quote]In your example, what if R charges the same $1000 for the same shotty work? But F charges $1500 for a much better job, is kind, friendly and cares about you and your home. Would you pat the higher fees?…..[/quote]

Like I said, If I were the client/customer, I would want the fastest and the highest quality while maintaining a fair price.

But,

Say that I had experience both R and F services. R price is maintained at $1000, F was $900 at first, then change to $1500 later, I would choose F. Why? because I was satisfy with his previous work.

“First Impression last forever”
correct me if I’m wrong.

Karin H – I find myself struggling with a similar situation. I have a business directory under development and I want to find a good price point. I can’t charge what the yahoo directory charges, I would have no customers, but I can still have a solid price point (professional quality directory) and not cut myself short.

Perhaps a good exercise might be the following: The next time you are quoting a medium-sized, fiscally healthy client, ask them what they expect to pay. Please try not to keel over when you hear their answer, one most likely far higher than what you were thinking of charging!

Clients expect to pay for quality work. Price is never an objection when they fully understand and appreciate the value you are offering them. The services they are buying reflect directly upon their company’s public image. They will never skimp on that.

Be confident and stretch!

I have to respectively disagree with you on this point of value.

Sure marketing copy is about creating safety. No doubt, will not debate.

AND, purchases are most often about whether ‘it’s worth it to me.’ That’s part of how your patrons will read your marketing copy – regardless of your intentions.

You know me well, I’m not going to debate the importance of the heart connection. In essence, it’s what I do for a living.

Yet most people don’t understand ‘listening to their hearts.’ and so many more factors come into play than just heart resonance. Remember nafs (ego)? You have to travel through nafs to get to heart. That’s a pretty deep state of being.

Since I’ve abandoned trying to convince people of the value, and spent more time in connection, witnessing, and empathy, and being as transparent about what I’m offering as possible, my enrollments and sales have continued to grow and climb.

And since I’ve been listening to my resonant price in my heart, my business has become increasingly profitable.

No doubt. But don’t you think that has far more to do with how you’re, personally, in alignment with your business, your heart, your soul’s purpose then anything else? I’d say that your clarity for yourself and your alignment with that clarity is what makes your business successful. The heart connection with your prospective patrons comes after that.

Because I know you well, I can already hear your answer. Yet consider what I’m saying in relation to the teachings you base your work on. Think of it as faqir – the awakened goal of someone studying Sufism. Just an offering…

I love your work – even the pieces we see differently. And I certainly recommend people checking out what you do.