Advertising Rates

How do you all feel about putting your rates on postcards and mailers? I feel like a get A LOT more calls when my rates are not on my mailings. What do you all do?

I have it on my website, but not my business cards or postcards. But these both need to be reprinted so I am going to watch this topic with interest.

However, even though you get more calls, how about bookings? Do you get more bookings when the prices aren't on there? In the end isn't this the goal?

Just curious.

I tend to not put rates on anything (which reminds me, I have rates on my Facebook group that I meant to take off...). If they see samples of and like your work, they will call to inquire, whereas if they see rates, they may decide straight off the bat to go elsewhere. At least by calling, they get a chance to talk to me, and get a feel for the kind of person I am, and I can explain things like what I do and what materials I use (in what's hopefully a friendly and fun tone!).

And sometimes they won't call back anyway, economy being what it is. Sometimes, not only do they love the work they've seen, but they've connected with you via phone or email, and just like you overall, and they have to have you!

So no, no rates until they ask, and even then I supplement that with what is included in that rate.

Of course, on the other hand, you could weed out a bunch of calls that were never going to come to fruition if you DO have rates listed...but I think I'd still rather talk to them!

Metina wrote:

However, even though you get more calls, how about bookings? Do you get more bookings when the prices aren't on there? In the end isn't this the goal?

Just curious.

I am always curious about this as well. Sure you get more calls but how many can you talk into bookings anyway if you are well above their price range?

~Michelle Heffner
Bright & Shining Face Painting
Columbia, MD

If they like you enough, some people will find a way of paying you.

I had a balloon twisting gig in January, and I gave the company a huge discount (it was an 18-hour event) as I was (well, still am) new and really wantd to book it...(don't worry, still made money!). They've just booked me for their Easter gig, but when they first contacted me, wanted to pay me the same rate as before. I told them no, that was a special rate for 18 hours, and this is only 3, so if you can't meet this new rate, I won't be able to do it. She wrote back saying it was over their budget - BUT they really loved my work and how I interacted with the kids, and that they'd love to have me back.

I repeat what I said before - I think if they like and want you enough, most will find a way to have you there! They want someone who does a great job, and is a great overall person, and if you are that person...well, they want to look good, too.

That's what I was thinking MissKris! I think I'm going to remove it from my mailers. I do however need to work on my "sweet talkin" skills for the calls I get. From other posts here I've learned to never give your price first on a phone call....so why should mailings be any different. DUH!

Sometimes I feel that if I can just get them on the phone, I can persuade them into booking me.

Thanks for your input!

I don't have rates on my post cards or biz cards, but I do have them listed on my website. I'm not a "salesman" sort of person, so I want people who call me to already know what they are getting and how much it costs. As a result, nearly 95% of my calls turn into gigs, and my clients are happy with me.

From the customer point of view, when I am shopping for something on-line, if the price is not listed I will almost always go somewhere else. Price is one of my most important factors when considering a service or product. I won't even consider using someone who I'd have to call to find out the price. But that's just me.

I know I like to have a general idea of what I might be getting 'into' when I call for a service request. I hate the 'wait until they get you on the phone or have all your contact information', before they tell you their rates. I hate high pressure sales!

So personally...I like having my rates listed somewhere so they already have an idea of what they will be paying if they contact me to book an event. That being said, I'm open to negotiation if I think they have something to offer me in return.

I agree with Angie... if I don't see the price before calling, I don't call. And as for going somewhere else, I know that my price is about the same or a little below the others in the area, so I'm not worried.

I have my prices on my website and will readily tell anyone my prices without having their contact info or anything first. Some people give this shpeel about every situation needing a different quote, but I think that's just silly, you have an hourly charge or whatever, but you always do the same thing at your events.... if you have a special rate for over whatever then you can tell them the base rate at least and say "special rates for bookings over..."

I've been trained in all the sales stuff and I don't like it... I don't like using it and I hate it being used on me. My price is my price and I don't need to talk anyone into it. Just my humble opinion of course.

From a customer's view, I think I'm 50/50. If I see something I love that doesn't have a price listed, I will inquire. If I see something okay, then I won't. That said, I'm all about shopping around, so I'll price/quality match all over and figure out what's more important.

I don't insist on contact info or anything before telling anyone my rates. If they like what they see, they'll call. If they're good with what I offer and my rates, they'll book, and I'll get info then! After I've answered all of their questions, I ask if they'd like to think if over/talk to a spouse and get back to me if they're still interested. Sometimes they don't get back to me, sometimes they do, sometimes they book on the spot!

I booked two events in the last two days. One saw my Facebook group (and apparently didn't see my rate, because she asked again, haha), talked to her husband, called me back and booked. One saw me at a trade show, didn't know my rate beforehand, got me to email the info to her husband, who called me back and booked me for longer than my minimum time.

Maybe it all depends on the person, and whether or not they've had their morning coffee yet?!

I always post my rates. As a 24/7 online shopper I dont like to call to find out the info it has to be all there or I move on to the next person.

I'm still in the process of building my website, but I was thinking of putting my rates on my site, just not on my business cards/note cards/flyers... just something like "For rates and booking info please call ### or visit soandso.net, etc." =)

I think that's best. Have the cards and postcards point the way to the website or phone number for rates. That way if your rates change, you can continue to use the same promo materials.

Personally I do not post my rates. I like to leave myself wiggle room to negotiate for big jobs or things I really want to do, AND, to give myself an opportunity to price myself out of other jobs, IYKWIM... LOL

I have a rate sheet that lists and breakdown everything that I keep handy to refer to, but, I quote on each job.

I like to post my rates on my website, so when people call I know they're really interested in booking me and not just price shopping. It's way out of my comfort zone to do any persuasive selling. I've had my husband try to pressure me into trying harder to get certain clients, but I tell him if it's that important to him, then he can do it. I got into face painting so I can do something I love and enjoy and to me, people either want what I have to offer or they don't. I've never listed my prices on my mailings, but I do direct them to my website.

Not that I'm knocking people who are good at winning a client through their charm, expertise and personality! I envy people who have sparkling personalities and can always say the right thing! I'm more of a shy person and I can find myself at a loss of words.

I have prices posted on my website, but won't put them on anything else. I also like to know prices, and don't like to have to call to find that out. Most of the time, I would just move on to the next person. Maybe it depends on how thrifty the shopper is! I like to have all the details I can gather before I even inquire about a service.