Are you pricing your worth?

Are you pricing your worth?

Author: The Happy Startup School November 2, 2021 Duration: 1:16:03

Pricing for serviced based businesses is such a dark art and many agency owners, coaches and consultants have had to learn it the hard way.

But why should it be so hard?

There should be more courses about this stuff out there teaching things like:

  • What is a good price?
  • How do you know what your competition is charging?
  • Do you charge by day, by the person or by value?
  • How do you write/build a proposal?
  • What split is there between services and product? Premium and mass market?
  • How does that work across territories?
  • Do you charge differently online vs offline?

These are the words of David McQueen, executive coach and public speaker, that he shared on LinkedIn over the summer.

We thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about what such a course could do for people like him and what is it that might be stopping people from seeking out this kind of help.

David McQueen is a speaker, coach and advisor who is passionate about leadership. Over the last thirty years he has honed his experience in leadership. This includes leading teams in his early career, starting his own companies, sitting on the advisory board of companies across all sectors and his work with organizations across the private, public and third sector.

David is the host of Leadership Decoded, a podcast focusing on leadership communication,  and is also writing his first book on the power of leadership coaching.


For freelancers and founders who believe their work has genuine purpose, the conversation around money can feel like the most awkward part of the job. The Happy Pricing Podcast, from The Happy Startup School, steps directly into that discomfort. It operates from a simple, radical premise: pricing shouldn't be a silent calculation of fear or greed, but a clear, confident dialogue about shared value. This isn't about racing to the bottom to please clients or inflating rates to exploit them. Instead, each episode focuses on building the practical capability to have those necessary, often avoided, financial conversations. You'll hear real strategies for articulating your worth in a way that feels authentic, ensuring the exchange is equitable and that you are properly compensated for the impact you create. The discussions move beyond theory into the nuanced reality of running a purpose-driven business, exploring how to structure fees, negotiate with clarity, and ultimately create arrangements where both you and your clients feel good about the investment. Tuning into this podcast means re-framing pricing from a transactional headache into a core component of your professional integrity and happiness. It's for those ready to move past anxiety and into a practice where everyone truly shares in the value being delivered.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 75

The Happy Pricing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Pricing theory vs practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:32
Pricing is not just about setting a number, but understanding the value that your product or service brings to your customers. It's about considering the problem you solve and the positive change you can create for your…
5 lessons on how not to do pricing from Elon Musk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
When we approach pricing without research or strategy, we end up with uncertainty, ineffective communication, and demonstrating a lack of understanding our customers’ needs.We need an outside-in approach that starts with…
Are you apologetic about your prices? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:43
If you raise an invoice for a client and then apologise for the amount, this creates uncertainty and can even damage your business.To avoid this, we need to shift our perspective and approach pricing with confidence. We…
What's the value of your personal brand? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:37
Many of us can end up feeling like a commodity, just like everyone else in our industry. But by understanding our unique story, experiences, and values, we can differentiate ourselves and stand out from the crowd.In this…
How your personality affects your pricing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
Our personality has a significant impact on how we approach pricing and value. According to the Enneagram, each personality type brings its own unique perspective and challenges when it comes to setting prices for our pr…
How to have mature money conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:23
Having mature conversations around money can be tricky and uncomfortable, and can lead to ineffective communication and missed opportunities. We need to approach money conversations with an open mind and a willingness to…
Write a proposal they can’t refuse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
You're about to draft a proposal, and you're wondering whether it will convince the client. Have you included everything necessary? You've poured hours into creating detailed, lengthy proposals in the past, only to face…
Understanding money stories and building confidence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:43
Many of us struggle with discomfort and negative emotions when discussing money and setting prices for our work. But by understanding and addressing our underlying money stories and beliefs, we can have more positive and…
How do you price an event that changes lives? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:02
Pricing an event that brings about life-changing experiences is complex and subjective. We need to consider the transformative value and outcomes of the event we’re creating, as well as the emotional commitment and inves…
How much should you cost during a cost-of-living crisis? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:35
In times of economic uncertainty, we need to have open, constructive, and compassionate conversations with clients and prospects. Understanding their worries and fears, and providing reassurance and clarity can help buil…