Today I want to talk about not competing on pricing. I would like for you to never again to compete on pricing. It’s a difficult place to be, and it doesn’t make sense for who we are as designers since we provide a luxury product. And discounts aren’t really part of that.
However, lots of designers tell me that they can’t get clients without discounting their services. And that’s actually not true.
It’s more of a paradigm shift. If you compete with everyone on price, then the only place you have to go is down. That’s not a good strategy because that’s not the direction you want your business to go.
You end up creating a situation where you’re not making any money, you have all the liability, and you’re essentially creating a charity for rich people. As funny as that sounds – it’s true!
Your clients will always push you on price. They won’t get that you have overhead to run your business. Or that the money you receive from them isn’t all for you to keep.
That money goes to the expenses you need to support and run a successful design business. Plus, it’s taken you years of experience and education to be an expert at what you do. You have a vast investment in your business that deserves to be paid for.
Your clients also don’t understand how many hours it takes you just to put together a 1-hour appointment with them. It’s not like you show up with a few fabric books, and you’re ready to get started. You and I both know that’s not how it works.
To change this situation, you need to have a money mindset shift so that you can stop discounting your services. Otherwise, you won’t have a business left. You’ll end up being unhappy and resentful with clients who push you around.
Watch the video above to find out more. You’ll learn how incorporating some strategic positioning into your business helps you get paid what you’re worth, while also having the design business you really want.
Until next time, design something beautiful and get paid what you’re worth.