Raising Rates is NOT About What You Are Worth

I recently asked teachers to share with me what they find most challenging about setting and sticking to an appropriate rate for private lessons and the floodgates opened.Over and over again teachers confided they are uncomfortable charging a certain price, even though they know they are worth it. People told me they are terrified to raise their rates, even if they know they are undercharging. Teachers shared with me they are afraid to upset, or maybe even lose, clients they love.There is a lot to say about teaching private lessons in a way that makes the value obvious, and we will dig into that next time on the blog. There is also a lot to say about the strange intersection of yoga and money.Today I simply want to address the most commonly stated struggle: “I have a hard time charging what I know I’m worth.”I want you guys to change your language entirely here. It is not about what YOU are worth. YOU are a human being worthy of the sun and the moon and all the love you have space for in your heart. That doesn’t need to get complicated by being tied up with money and what you charge.If what you mean is, “I’m having trouble asking for the appropriate price of the product.”  than that is a different issue and we need to address that.

I hear yoga teachers say “my worth” when they mean “cost of a session” and I think we need to do better than that.

We must separate any issues we have embodying our highest and biggest self from pricing. The sooner you can do that, the better off you, and your students, will be.You can determine the appropriate price of your offerings by looking at your level of study, your amount of experience, how busy you are and the market rate in your area. All of those things combined together make up the price of the product and that has nothing to do with your worth.

Here is some super actionable advice----->

If you are undercharging for your private lessons here is how I recommend you raise your rates:

• send your clients an email, so they can have some space to process any upset emotions privately first
• make clear in the email that you can and want to talk about it when you see each other next

In general when talking about money:

• the less you say the better
• you don’t need to explain why you’re raising your rate
• you have to take your seat as the leader, you don’t want to make your client  feel worried about you
• you can just say in a clear and loving way, I love working with you and this is my new price

There is a small chance you will lose a client. But you do not need to worry about upsetting anyone. You must be clear and strong and firm and loving in the way you tell people about raising your rates. If you do that, your students will respect and appreciate you.

Sometimes you have to teach people how to treat you by carrying yourself with clarity and strength even if you’re not totally sure you will be treated with respect in return.

Do you guys want to see a sample Price Increase Letter?? Here ya go:Dear XXXX,I love working with you so much and I am so proud of the changes you have made:

• • like X
  • And Y
  • And Z

I am writing to let you know that as of January 1st my rate for all private lessons is increasing to XYZ. {Give a big long lead up to this guys, at least one month and three months would be even better.} I am more than happy to offer you a special package to help ease this transition. If you would like to buy a package of {insert big package of whatever feels comfortable for you, 10, 15 or 20} lessons let me know and I can set that up for you!Here are some things I am really excited to work with you on in 2017:

• • X
  • Y
  • Z

I am so excited to continue working with you! Please let me know how this is landing for you, and we can certainly talk about it in person when I see you for our next lesson.With love,FrancescaDoes that help? What other questions come up for you around this? Comment below and ask away! Next time on the blog I’m going to going to give you some ideas about the extra special things you can do in your teaching to help you feel stronger in charging your clients the higher price point that a 1x1 lesson necessitates