We’ve all been there: You send a quote, immediately panic, and then hear that little voice saying, “Maybe that’s too much… should I just drop the price?”
Let’s Get Real About Money, Honey
Pricing your services is often the most stressful part of running a creative business, but it shouldn’t be. Setting the right price isn’t about being greedy; it’s about sustainability, confidence, and respect—for yourself and your clients. The goal is to earn what you deserve without reaching total emotional and physical burnout.
1. Stop Guessing & Know Your True Cost
It’s time to stop looking at the artist across town and matching their prices. Their expenses, experience, and lifestyle are not yours! Your price is personal and based on three non-negotiable pillars:
A. The Hard Costs
This is the boring-but-essential part. Tally up everything you spend on a single service. We’re talking about more than just the product!
- Products Used: Foundation, lashes, disposables, specialty creams and calculate the per client cost.
- Overheads: A slice of your rent/studio cost, business insurance, data, fuel, and the annual cost of your booking system.
B. The Time Cost
You don’t just charge for the hour you spend with the client! If you only account for face-to-face time, you are constantly losing money.
- Behind the Scenes: Consultation time, cleaning and sanitizing equipment (crucial for hygiene!), travel time, admin (invoicing, emailing), and the continuous education that keeps your skills sharp. Your time is money.
C. The Value Add
This is where the magic happens. What is the perceived value of your service? If you’re providing an effortless, reliable, luxury experience—the kind that saves your client stress and time—that is worth significantly more than a generic service. You’re selling confidence, expertise, and time saved. Price accordingly!
The Clear-Math Check: If your ₦25,000 glam takes three hours and costs ₦15,000 just to deliver, your actual profit is only ₦10,000. Once you see the math clearly, adjusting your price without the guilt is much easier.
2. Create a System, Not a Random List
Don’t just have a list of prices; have a structured pricing menu. This elevates the client experience and ensures you never accidentally undercharge.
- Base Packages: Your essential services with clear, fixed inclusions. This is the foundation.
- Premium Options: Your elevated offerings. Think home service convenience, the use of luxury/exclusive brands, or an extended session time.
- Add-Ons: Quick upsells that feel like a treat, not a pitch—like lash application, brow shaping, or a setting mist upgrade.
This structure allows clients to choose their experience, and it ensures the total value they receive always matches the price they pay.
3. Charge for Your Energy, Not Just Your Skill
Your price tag reflects not just your talent, but your preparation, professionalism, and the emotional energy you bring. If a session demands extra effort, emotional labour, or simply drains your creative tank, that needs to be factored in. A brilliant piece of advice I once heard: Raise your prices until you feel slightly uncomfortable.
If you are consistently booked solid for the next two months, you are undercharging. Being 100% booked means you have no room for growth, no time for self-care, and no time to take on higher-paying, more exciting opportunities (like collaborations!).
The Rule: When your workload feels overwhelming, it’s a clear signal to raise your rates by 10–15%. This naturally reduces the volume of work, while maintaining or even increasing your income. It protects you from burnout and elevates your brand’s perceived value.
4. Communicate Your Value with Confidence
People respect what they understand. Instead of apologizing for your rates, show your value!
- Be confident about what your service includes—from the hygiene standards you uphold to the quality of premium products you invest in.
- Frame your price as an investment in quality, assurance, and an overall stress-free, luxurious outcome.
5. Review & Raise Periodically
Your skills, demand, and expenses are always growing. Your prices should, too. Set a reminder every 6–12 months to review your rates. Clients who truly value your work and the experience you provide will grow with you.
5. The Power of “No Discounting”
Discounting your services is often a slippery slope to burnout. It sends a message that your time and expertise are negotiable.
Instead of a discount, offer Value Adda. If a client asks for a break on the price:
- DO NOT say: “I can take 20,000 Naira off.”
- DO say: “I keep my pricing consistent, but I can include a complimentary travel-sized product gift,” or “I can offer a 15-minute touch-up consultation at no extra charge.”
You maintain your pricing integrity while still building goodwill. You save your energy and your bottom line.
Conclusion
Pricing isn’t a one-and-done task; it’s an evolving strategy. Check your rates every six months. When you price with confidence and strategy, you create the space you need to thrive, not just survive.
Go get that paper, you deserve it!
Price like a pro, rest without guilt and remember: A profitable business is the most sustainable kind of beautiful business.
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