Why Raising Your Prices Feels So Uncomfortable

[0:06] Hey there, and welcome to episode 26 of Your Fun and Profitable Online Business. This is the podcast that helps you build a business that feels profitable and full of possibilities. I’m Wendy Muzzy, money coach, online business strategist, and I help women entrepreneurs make more money and feel good doing it. Today, we’re diving into something that I get off and ask. How do I raise my prices without feeling weird or guilty? Friend, if you’ve been undercharging or second guessing what your offers are really worth, this episode’s for you. Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind that pricing discomfort and how to shift it. Okay, let’s be honest. We don’t usually resist raising our prices because we don’t know how. We resist because of how it feels. Words like guilty or greedy or too much creep in. And even though we know this logically, many of us still hold on to weirdness around pricing because there are old money stories, fear of losing clients, and worry that people will judge us.

The Real Cost of Undercharging in Your Business

[1:10] The problem is when your prices don’t reflect the value of your offer or your capacity in your business, you pay for it in other ways like burnout and resentment. But here’s the thing. Most women business owners I work with are already undercharging. And this is because they’ve tied their worth to the price tag. Ugh. This will continue to be an issue until you realize holding your prices too low isn’t being kind. It’s being unclear, it’s confusing, and it’s keeping both you and your clients super small. When you raise your prices, you’re not just adjusting the number. You’re shifting the container for what’s possible. And when done right, it doesn’t push people away. It helps the right people lean in. Your business isn’t charity, friend. And pricing isn’t about proving your worth. It’s about reflecting the value of the transformation you provide.

How to Raise Your Prices With Confidence 

[2:07] Here’s the good news. Raising your prices doesn’t have to be a big deal, but it does mean getting clear and confident. Let’s break down that process. The first thing you have to do is check your math. You’ve got to start with the numbers. What does it actually cost you in time, tools, or energy to deliver your offer? What do you want to earn per month, per year? Does your current price support that? If you don’t know these pieces, no worries. I have a pricing calculator at wendymuzzy.com/pricing that helps make this part easy. 

Value-Based Pricing vs. Hourly Pricing

Number two, anchor the price and value, not time. If you’re thinking, but it only takes me an hour, you’re missing the point. People aren’t paying for your time. They’re paying for your expertise, your perspective, your process, your results, the list goes on and on. Raise your prices based on the transformation you provide, not the duration of time it takes for you to deliver it. Also of note here, if you’re just starting out, I do recommend figuring out what your price per hour should be so you can start to make progress towards your income goals. But once you’ve had about 10 clients go through your offer, it’s time to price based on the results, not on the time it takes for you to deliver the results.

Give Your Price Increase a Purpose

[3:26] Number three, give the raise a purpose. Raising your prices can feel easier when you know what it’s for. Are you looking for more time? Less burnout? Are you saving for something? This helps you create conviction in the process and especially as you start to communicate it with your clients. 

How to Increase Prices Without Feeling Guilty

Number four, raise the experience too. If you’re feeling weird about charging more, add a small touch to make the offer feel elevated. This could be an onboarding document or a bonus check-in or surprise printable. You’re not doing this because you have to though, you’re doing it because it supports the container you’re creating for your clients. 

How to Announce a Price Increase to Clients

All right, number five, announce the increase with intention, not apology. This step is optional, but if you’re raising your rates for all of your clients, not just your new ones, here’s how to navigate it. Don’t over-explain. Don’t pile on bonuses to soften the change. And don’t post a disclaimer paragraph. Just state the change confidently. Maybe even celebrate it. Here’s some language to try. I’ve refined and upgraded this experience, and the new rate reflects that. Simple as that. People will mirror your energy. If you say it like a big deal, they’ll pick up on that in a good way.

A Simple Exercise to Price Your Offers With Confidence

[4:49] All right, let’s get to your action step. Pick one offer. Look at the numbers and ask, what price would feel energizing to receive and sustainable to deliver at? Then write that number down. Now say it out loud. See how it feels after you say it a couple of times. If there’s resistance, explore it. If it feels exciting, it’s probably time to change it. And if you’re ready to price with confidence, I have a training and calculator at wendymuzzy.com/pricing. 

Money Mindset and Pricing Confidence

Look, raising your prices doesn’t have to feel scary. It’s not about being worth it or having a certain number of followers or needing a permission slip. It’s about honoring the value you create and giving your business room to breathe and support you too. But if you need permission, here it is. You’re allowed to charge more. This is Your Fun and Profitable Online Business. And you don’t have to feel weird about it. But if you find something that pops up, I can help you. Go to wendymuzzy.com/moneymindset, and I can walk you through the process of how to uncover some of your money beliefs and really bring them to the surface. Also, all these links are in the show notes. It’s wendymuzzy.com slash the episode number. So this would be wendymuzzy.com/26. And you can find all of the links in the show notes. Until next time, happy price raising!