You're pricing your projects wrong

You're pricing your projects wrong

Author: The Happy Startup School November 24, 2021 Duration: 40:21

Most projects a priced based on people's time.

The proposal, as well as containing lots of justification for choosing you as a supplier, is essentially a shopping list of project member's time and how much their hourly rates are.

This is helpful in terms of being transparent and making feel the client is informed.

But IS it really helpful?

More information doesn't necessarily mean more power.

Unless your client is empowered to make a choice and believe that the price you're giving them is worth paying then it doesn't matter how granular and transparent you are about your pricing it won't help them.

In the end you're providing a number and your client needs to able to make sense of that number and explain it to others.

Also, when it comes to doing work that includes some inherent uncertainty, such as creative work or developing an innovative app, then defining price based on time isn't necessarily helpful either.

More than anything clients want certainty about what they're going to get and what they're going to spend in order to get it.

And they want to avoid any regrets about how much they spent (i.e. they want to feel good about spending more money).

They want definite outcomes without feeling like they've been conned.

They want solutions and good feelings.

How does you project pricing help create these?


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…