Once a client is ready to raise their rates, there’s a panicky moment I brace for, the one where they’re freaking out, saying things like:
How do I tell my clients?!
They’ll all leave me!
Maybe I’ll wait a few more months to do it!
So if after the last few articles on pricing (here and here) you realize it’s time to increase you prices, I’ve got you covered in the next step: telling clients you’re raising your rates. And that’s exactly what I’m going to help you with today.
I am going to walk you through exactly how to increase your prices and tell your clients, so they’ll want to stick around no matter what you charge. I’ve got you covered on this one!
Telling Clients You’re Raising Your Rates
Now that you know what you’re going to charge, the next things you need to do are figure out when your prices are going up, how you want to transition your current clients, and how to tell your clients about the change.
Let’s dive in.
Step 1. Set your new rates
With the help of last week’s article, you likely know exactly what you want to charge for your results-oriented offer. Your new rates should be set.
The next questions are:
1. When do you want to begin charging new clients this new rate?
2. When do you want to your current clients to begin paying this new rate?
It’s okay to give your current clients some time to transition to the new rates while also charging new customers your new rates. There is not a single right way to do this; whatever works for you and your business is perfect.
It’s important to pick a date for each rate increase (for new clients and current clients) so that it doesn’t drag out too long.
Step 2. Establish a transition plan
Now that you know what you’re charging and when you’re going to charge it, you need to set your transition plan.
You need to determine:
1. When do you want to tell your new clients about the new rate start date?
2. Will you give them an opportunity to purchase another package or set of sessions at the old rate? If so, by when do they need to make that purchase and by when do those sessions need to be used?
Sorting through these details will allow you to create a clear transition period for your clients, plus an incentive for them to stick with you!
Step 3. Update your website + tell clients you’re raising your rates
The next step is to let everyone know your new rates. This includes updating your website so new clients will see your new rates and telling your current clients that you’re increasing your prices.
My Personal Recommendation for YouThe Ultimate Pricing Guide
Step 4. Final reminder to clients on rate change
Once your website has been updated and your clients have been notified, you only have one step left: remind your clients one last time.
Most of us put off making decisions until the last possible minute. If your clients are busy, they may have forgotten about the deadline to purchase another package at the special rate. It’s your job to remind them.
Send another email telling clients you’re raising your rates and that you’d love to keep working with them.
Click to DownloadFree Cheat Sheet! How to Double Your Rates with Integrity
The Art of Notifying Your Clients
You know you need to tell your clients you’re raising your rates, but my guess is that your stomach was churning at the mere thought of actually telling them. It can seem nerve-wracking to tell your clients that you’re charging more, but it doesn’t have to be so hard!
Crafting an email in just the right way can make a world of difference in helping your clients transition to your new pricing.
I’ve asked Kendrick Shope, Founder of Authentic Selling, to share a template you can steal to use when you need to tell your clients about a rate jump.
Here’s how Kendrick suggests you notify your clients.
*****
Your Greeting,
1. Grab attention quickly with a paragraph that things are changing and how it will benefit your client. For example…
I’m excited to update you about some changes I’m making to my services that are going to help you [insert the desired outcome of your customer].
2. Quickly establish your credibility.
I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most amazing women and have watched them [insert specific results from your testimonials] as a result of our work together.
3. Plant the seed with why you set yourself apart from the rest.
As I continue to grow, it’s my desire to continue to offer unmatched service and results that improve my clients’ lives.
I know that one of the reasons my customer experience drastic results is [insert education, level of service you provide, or something that makes you different from others in your industry].
4. Announce the increase.
Effective [insert date], [insert package name] will increase to [insert new price].
5. Reward your customers’ loyalty.
It’s my goal to reserve [insert number of spots] remaining spots at the current rate of [insert your price before the increase] for you before the price increase is officially announced on [insert date you’ll announce or publish the increase].
6. Close the email reminding people of the results you create.
I’m thrilled to continue to help you create [insert desired outcome from testimonials].
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to hold one of my open spots. I’d love to work with you.
Your Closing
*****
It’s amazing how clear and simple it can be to tell clients you’re raising your rates! Easy, right?
Click to TweetLOVE this email template for raising your prices from Jenny Shih & Kendrick Shope!!
Are You Ready?
For the last three weeks, I’ve walked you, step-by-step, through everything you need to know to perfectly price your services and implement them in your business. Are you ready to take action?
Tell me…
How do you feel about your pricing? Are you struggling or are you ready to make a change?
What pricing success stories do you have to share with us?
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, thanks for reading and contributing!
Jessica Scheer says
this script is great Jenny! Thank you 🙂
Maria says
Yay Jenny! Love how specific your advice is. Keep it up!
Eilish says
Hey Jenny
just been debating this particular conundrum the past week or two. Absolutely fab script.
Thanks 🙂
Jenny Shih says
So glad to hear you all like the script! Kendrick Shope is amazing and knows how to nail things like that so well!
Report back on how it goes once you implement the specifics. I’d love to know!
Trinidad Pena says
OMG. Perfect timing! I have struggling with raising my rates and how to tell my clients. You are so right, my stomach is CHURNING. I shall be using this script. Thanks so much!
Jenny Shih says
Yay! Love perfect timing and I know how powerful having a script can be to help you get through the stomach-churning conversations. You’ve got this!
Sarah Greesonbach says
Great advice, and a great approach. Thank you!
Darrell says
Needed some help on this topic and you nailed for me.
Thank You.
Jenny Shih says
You’re welcome! I’m so glad it helped!
Meaghan says
Thank you! I’m a housekeeper in business for myself. I’ve been considering raising my rates and this week I had 2 clients give me impromptu raises. What a call to action, time to bump up the others!
Katie says
Hi! So glad I found this! I dog sit for people and am about to raise my rates. How do I tell my clients since they can’t really “book me before rates change”?
Plus, just for those to add a little sugar to the rate incraese, I was told (for my business that has a small clientele) that on each letter I write a handwritten note of how much I love their pet, and do it by name as well as characteristics of the pets. Just thought others might use this idea since it makes a connection on a personal level to the clients. 🙂
Devina says
EXCELLENT SCRIPT! VERY USEFUL!
Kristina Knight says
Please add me to your email.
Thanks
Jenny Shih says
We can’t sign you up ourselves (it’s against the law), but if you scroll up to the top of this page and look on the righthand side, you’ll see a place to add yourself.
Lisa says
Hi. I’m increasing my prices in my service area but others in my salon are not so an email will not go out and I will be notifying my clients one-on-one. Any tips on conversational ways I can approach this?
Jenny Shih says
Great question, Lisa! I’d suggest that you give them a heads-up at their appointment. Tell them that you love having them as a client and that you wanted to let them know that as of DATE, you’ll be increasing your rates. If there’s a way to let the “buy their next cut at the current price” (gift certificate or something with you?), then that might be a nice incentive.