Why I'm Raising My Rates

I’m raising my rates. People get touchy about that. When a product’s price increases, we blame the economy, but for some reason when a person raises their charge for services, we feel like they’re selfishly taking advantage. We have to stop that. Here’s why I’m doing it.

• Upscaling my product. This is sensitive territory because I don’t want to say I’m too good for the jobs I’ve done in the past, but I do want to say that I’m ready for bigger and better jobs. If I’m going to work for a more high-end clientele, I should have the price point to match.

• Airbrushing added to every bridal package. This doesn’t require much explanation. Everyone wants it anyway, and I can actually offer it at a better price if I just fold it into my normal rate.

• Overhead costs. People, makeup isn’t cheap. And, like most everything else in this economy, it isn’t getting any cheaper. Sure, I get professional discounts here and there, but not as often or as deep as you might think. And then there’s everything you don’t see and may never have considered - advertising, web admin, accounting, licensing, taxes, continuing education - I’m not just playing with eyeshadow on the weekends, here. This is a business, and it has expenses. Lots of them.

• Market prices. Go out and get a few quotes. I am FAR - like outer reaches of the galaxy far - from the expensive end. Offering my services at a lower rate than others with comparable skills and experience is undercutting the market and ultimately bad for all of us. I want to be hired for my talent, not because I’m cheap.

• Value of my work. It’s been years since I’ve raised my rates across the board, and the experience I’ve gained in those years has exponentially increased my skill level. Again, I don’t want to say I’m too good for any job… But I’m definitely too good to sell myself short.