Busting Out of the Bargain Bin: The Art of Charging What You're Worth

Imagine me, twelve years deep in the world of massage therapy, hands trained and attuned to the art of healing, working day-in and day-out. You’d think by this time, I'd have the whole 'value-your-worth' thing down, right? Wrong. I was charging a measly $49 an hour. Can you believe it? I was valuing a decade-plus of experience, skill, and education at less than a family dinner at a decent restaurant. It's not just a bummer - it's downright outrageous.

Then came my wake-up call. Or, more aptly put, my wake-up confrontation.

Picture this: It was just another day at the office, me armed with my trusty massage oils, ready to do some serious stress-busting. Enter stage right, my client for the hour, a fairly regular visitor. But this time, things went a little off-script. An unpleasant exchange occurred. Without delving into the details, let’s just say, the interaction was less about relaxation and more about raising my blood pressure. And it got me thinking.

Why was I bending over backward, selling my time and expertise short for those who didn't value it? Why was I letting the fear of raising my prices stop me from realizing my worth?

I bet many of you out there feel this same fear. You worry that increasing your rates might chase off clients. Or you might think that you're not experienced enough to warrant a price hike. But let me tell you this - your fears are your biggest roadblocks. You just have to plow right through them.

So, here's the kicker, my words of wisdom, my big revelation - Just do it. Yes, you read it right. Don’t overthink it. Don’t dread it. Just raise your prices.

If it makes you feel better, give your clients a heads up. Send an email. Put up a sign in your studio that calmly announces, "Dear valued clients, my rates will be seeing a slight hike of X amount starting Z date. Just thought you should know. Carry on."

It might sound a tad terrifying, but it's a lot simpler than you think. You see, the first time I decided to raise my rates, my heart was pounding harder than a heavy metal drummer. But to my surprise, the world didn’t collapse. No angry mobs brandishing pitchforks showed up. Most of my clients congratulated me.

Yes, a few stopped coming, some came less often. But, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it was the beginning of a new one for me. It opened up slots for clients who truly appreciated the work I did, clients who understood the value of my time and expertise. It was a cleansing process, ridding my business of the riff-raff, and making space for the right folks.

I want to leave you with this. You're more than just a service provider in the spa industry. You're an entrepreneur, an expert in your field, a skilled professional. Your prices should reflect that. So, trust me on this one - just raise your rates. You're worth it.