The Real Reason You're Undercharging In Your Creative Business (and How to Stop) {Ep. 79}

When it comes to pricing, there's so much out there in the world telling and showing us we are not valued, when actually, all we're hearing are the loudest talkers, right? The real problem is believing in your value and not allowing society and people outside of you to change your belief in yourself.  In this episode, I discuss the importance of valuing your work appropriately and not undercharging for your services. I'm sharing my own journey helping clients navigate difficult conversations and set proper fees. We'll dive into the pitfalls of charging lower than deserved fees, explaining how it can affect one's self-worth and client perception. I'll provide actionable steps on how to increase rates, communicate value to clients, and break the cycle of undervaluing yourself, while setting boundaries and protecting your peace, heart, and reputation all while ensuring your contract reflects these values! Tune in to learn practical strategies for achieving a more harmonious, Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! 01:10 Combining Brands and Evolving 01:45 The Importance of Charging What You're Worth 03:52 Personal Experience with Pricing 06:06 Understanding Your Value and Raising Prices 08:40 Practical Steps to Increase Your Rates 11:30 The Impact of Pricing on Your Business 21:32 Action Steps Resources from the Show  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers (visited February 05, 2025). Listen to Episode 24 - Services Listen to Episode 25 - Pricing Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course Free Guide: "12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract" >>>  Hi! I'm Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I'm proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.  Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!