Raise your prices without losing clients
Many self-employed people put off a price rise for years, afraid of losing clients. Meanwhile energy, products, rent and insurance keep going up. Not raising your prices means giving a little away every year.
Contents
Work out what an hour of work really costs you, raise prices regularly in small steps rather than sharply every few years, and announce it a few weeks ahead in a short, businesslike message. Treat regulars fairly: anyone who has already booked pays the old price.
Work out what an hour costs you
Add up a year of fixed costs: rent, energy, insurance, software, accountant, materials, social contributions and what you want to earn yourself. Divide that by the number of hours you can really charge, so without admin, tidying up and holidays. That's your minimum price per hour. If your current price is below it, you're working part of your time for free.
Small steps, at a fixed moment
A few euros a year stands out less than a big jump after four years of standing still. Pick a fixed moment, for example early January, so clients expect it. Round to prices that feel logical, and don't raise everything at once if you don't need to: sometimes it's enough to adjust the services that take the most time or materials.
Announce it, without apologising
A few weeks ahead is enough. Keep it short and businesslike: from when, which prices, and perhaps one sentence on why. Don't apologise at length; that makes it bigger than it is. Put the new prices on your booking page in time, so nobody is surprised at the till.
An example: "From 1 January we're adjusting our prices. Cut and blow-dry becomes €48. If you've already booked, you pay the current price. Thanks for your trust."
Regulars: equal and fair
It's tempting to quietly keep regulars on the old price. That soon gets complicated and feels unfair to newcomers. If you want to reward loyalty, do it visibly and equally for everyone, for example with loyalty points. More in customer loyalty.
What if a client leaves?
The odd client who only came for the lowest price might leave. That's rarely a disaster: a full calendar at too low a price is more tiring than a slightly less full one at a price that's right. Most clients come for you, your work and the convenience, not for those few euros.
How to do it in mijnklant.vip
- Change the price under Services, directly in the list. A new price only applies to new appointments: anyone who has already booked pays the old price.
- Announce it with a mailing (Plus and Pro) to clients with consent; sending is being switched on soon. Until then, a sign at the counter works wonders too.
- Showing prices clearly: read communicating your prices.
Written by Moof, the team behind mijnklant.vip in Rekkem. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.