OK, this is actually not a trick question and it’s not as silly as you may think. Here’s why:
Last night, I got a call from a client, a passionate and skilled social entrepreneur. She had just launched a new program and some of the feedback she got surprised her.
“I find it offensive that you charge for this!”, someone exclaimed in a Facebook group.
“This stuff should be offered free of charge!”, another person concurred.
My client is an incredibly resourceful and strongwoman, so the comments didn’t make her sad. Pissed off is probably a more accurate description. And I totally feel her.
When someone works with their passion, and/or with something that is “for the greater good”, they will sometimes get comments like these. It’s as if the “luxury” of working with your passion should be enough remuneration.
But no one, not even social entrepreneurs, can survive through passion alone. We all need to make money to pay bills, to buy food, to take care of our families – and to be able to produce free stuff for the people who can’t or won’t pay for our services.
Plus, working with your passion is not a luxury! It’s a choice – and behind that choice lies years of experience and then a bunch or more years working extremely hard to make that “luxury” a reality.
So why wouldn’t my client charge her worth? Why shouldn’t her clients pay for the incredible value that they get from working with her? This kind of thinking is a mystery to me.
In this photo you can see me happily working away with one of the things that I love the most: teaching and interacting with other business owners! I’m incredibly grateful to be able to work with one of my passions – but I’m equally grateful for being able to charge my worth.
This is a call to all of you passionate entrepreneurs out there:
Please, please, pleeeease do charge your worth! Don’t buy into the myth that your passion alone is enough compensation. And if you have any problems setting the price that is right for you OR standing behind those prices in a negotiation – get in touch and I’ll make sure to help!
