Why I Don’t Publish My Rates on My Website
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In Part 1 of this series, Janine Adams described the benefits of publishing your rates online. Today’s post offers a different perspective, explaining why some professionals prefer to discuss pricing privately.
When I first started my business Time Space Organization 20 years ago most organizers did not publish their rates. For one thing, our industry at that time was very concerned about price fixing. We were encouraged not to even speak about what we charged.
That concept has changed as we each have such unique offerings and styles of working but I still do not publish my rates.
Why:
- When people contact me and are first interested in my pricing schedule, I find that usually they are just price shopping or tire kickers. They don’t seem interested in finding out how my services might differ from another organizer.
- The clients I like to work with are first interested in how we can work together to solve their organizational problems. It’s not unusual that they are ready to book a session without even discussing rates. I then lead them to that discussion.
- While my rates are consistent there are a lot of options to choose from. Until we decide what style or method will work best with the client on their particular job it can be confusing to know all the options. After we have a plan in place I do send them my pricing schedule along with other paperwork.
Before we have the discussion on pricing it is important to know:
- Why are they calling on an organizer now?
- What is their primary vision or goal?
- Is this a one-time organizing project or an ongoing change?
- What is their timeline?
- How well can they work on their own?
- What is their budget?
Once we are clear on those answers then I can tell them what I offer and my pricing schedule.
I will know if they are most likely wanting:
- A one appraisal and action plan – they will take that plan and do all of the work on their own
- A one-hour session
- A package of hours – 5, 10, or 20 hours
- Working with me and one other equal organizer
- Working with me and a team of organizers
- Virtual organizing
- A maintenance package
What can and often does happen is that these plans are combined.
A client may want a 5-hour plan. After 5 hours they really like what has happened but they know they need more time. I let that client roll their 5-hour package into a 10- or 20-hour package without having to start over.
They may want a 5-hour package but now that we have worked together and I have seen their home, they would like to continue virtually.
They may start with a 5-hour plan but can see realistically they need a lot more help to complete the project before a deadline. So, now they are ready for either one other organizer to work on the project or in a big rush, they want a team.
They may work on a 5-hour package but realize that because of their ADHD or chronic disorganization, they will not be able to maintain what has been accomplished. Now a maintenance package can be discussed.
And just to make things even more interesting, Diane Quintana and I offer a Clear the Clutter 12 week course and a monthly class on our joint business Release · Repurpose · Reorganize. These options do have prices listed on our site but can also be added to what work plan they have chosen with my company Time Space Organization.
The policy of not publishing my rates has worked for me for the past 20 years.
I feel it is important for each organizer to decide what best works for the type of work they do and the type of clientele that they want to attract.
Both approaches offer real advantages, and the right choice often depends on your services, pricing structure, and ideal clients. Hearing how others handle this decision can be just as valuable as the perspectives shared here.
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I don’t publish my rates either. It isn’t a big secret, and I tell people my rate during our consultation. Like you, I offer various services. If price is somebody’s first question, that alerts me to a potentially limited budget, and helps me talk about what might work best for them.
I think every professional needs to find what works best for him/her!
Your caring nature shows through in that comment! Instead of limited budget being a red flag, it simply helps you determine the best option for your client.
I don’t post my rates, probably for the same reason as Jonda and Seana. If a client doesn’t know what I offer or what they need, there’d be too much guesswork on their part and they’re likely to either eliminate themselves as potential clients or assume that it will be a turnkey experience to become clients. There’s a difference, too, between rates and value, and without knowing what a professional organizer can deliver (for any given session or package), it’s like asking a doctor, “How long will it take to make me well again?” before the doctor knows whether you need to cure the flu or eliminate cancer.
When I work with clients virtually, I offer a variety of packages, depending on their needs. With in-person clients, I do sessions and have per-session rates. But for all of this, it’s essential to know what the client needs, clarify expectations, note any deadlines, verify any extenuating circumstances (if the client is outside of my service area, if they are in a hard-to-reach geographic location, if their scheduling opportunities are severely limited, if they have special needs that require unusual accommodations, etc.) and so on before getting to the rate question.
Although Janine’s reasons for publishing her rates made a lot of sense to me, so do yours and Jonda’s for not! As a consumer, if I’m presented with too many options, it’s just confusing – how do I know which one’s right for me? – and that alone might scare me off.
I echo the comments left here by Julie and Seana, as well as the view shared by Jonda. Thank you everyone!
Like Jonda, Seana, and Julie, I don’t publish my rates either. The one exception is for the workshops, where I do publish the rate.
It’s most important first to understand the client’s needs, if I can help with those needs, and then discuss more details around compatibility and fit (like rates, availability, timeline, etc.) I also understand why some prefer to publish their rates. It’s a way to spend less time on inquiry calls that might go nowhere.
However, I find all of the conversations valuable. Even if someone chooses not to hire me, I can still provide help in other ways through the free tools on my website, referring to a colleague if someone is a better fit, or just normalizing the overwhelm and experience they are struggling with.
Hi Jonda! Thanks for sharing your process.
I learned that I can not share my rates on my websites. If I shared the rate, I received several requests to haggle with me. I prefer that the potential client reach out to explain their situation so I can ask the right questions to get a clear understanding of their needs and goals. I learned that some of my services did not work well for larger projects, resulting in more time spent for less money.
Wow, I would’ve thought posting your rates would eliminate people like that. Thanks for sharing!