What Does It REALLY Mean To 'Know Your Worth'?
Apr 14, 2021
Knowing your worth is inextricably linked to your self-belief, and the confidence you have to do things YOUR way.
It's having the balls to charge MORE than others in your industry charge when you know you deliver more value.
But it’s also giving away scholarships or working for free when you feel drawn to do that, without feeling the need to justify that decision.
REALLY knowing your worth is not needing validation or instruction from others on how to charge.
You're worth it when you declare yourself to be worth it.
Throughout my career, the biggest leaps forward have always happened when I’ve given myself permission to simply put my stake in the ground and announce the ‘new me’.
When I first left the world of commercial insurance, I honestly had NO IDEA what else I could do!
All I knew was that I was craving the freedom to work from wherever, whenever and with whoever I chose.
My niece had recently gone freelance as a VA, but she had great admin skills (I couldn’t, and still can’t, even touch type), BUT I figured that people with online businesses could surely benefit from my 25+ years of business savvy, so I simply ‘hung out my shingle’ (a phrase I’ve just learned from my US bestie) and Ta Dah!!...
Announcement To World #1 – I’m now a VA open for business.
Now, I could have thought, ‘hmm, I’m new to this so I can’t charge too much’, but I did something else…
I decided that my experience, confidence and business input would mean I was adding MORE value than many VAs, so I charged more.
I researched what experienced, London based VAs were charging and that’s where I set my minimum hourly rate.
I was extremely intentional with my marketing and my perfect clients found me.
I became the go-to VA for business & life coaches and my business grew quickly, to the point where I had to take on several associates to help with my workload.
Announcement to World #2 – I’m a VA Agency Owner
I realised that with an agency model I could carry on my successful, client magnetizing marketing and scale my business by passing work to the carefully vetted and approved VAs who signed up to my agency.
Yep, I was now a busy VA and Agency owner.
The problem was, I was starting to get the feeling I was no longer a well paid VA - I was becoming an underpaid Online Business Manager. I gave my clients strategic business advice, I was their 'right hand woman' & I was managing their team. So, guess what…
Announcement to World #3 – I’m an Online Business Manager
Now, this was a tough one. The shingle was hung out again. But… hold on… 2 of my beloved, longstanding clients did NOT take it well.
You see, they’d got used to having a VERY high performing and valuable VA.
They didn’t want to pay for an OBM, they wanted to pay for VA… a very high performing valuable one!
So, I was faced with a choice.
Should I keep the clients by dropping my price and continuing our great working relationships OR should I stick by the price that reflected the value I was delivering?
I was now an Online Business Manager.
I had announced it & stepped into it. I KNEW I was worth every penny of my new rate and so I stuck to my guns.
I lost both of those clients. They found a cheaper service elsewhere. It was painful.
It was also the BEST decision I’ve ever made.
I went on to work with some AMAZING entrepreneurs, transforming their online operations and skyrocketing their revenue.
As time went on, I noticed my role was changing with the small number of clients I worked with 1:1. I was no longer ‘doing the do’. I had an agency full of outstanding VAs and OBMs who were doing the implementation… I was now consulting & coaching my clients in the art of uplevelling their businesses.
I suspect you’ve guessed what’s coming…
Announcement to World #4 – I’m a Business Coach / Consultant
Yet again, I declared myself worthy of that title. I had witnessed the transformation that working with me brought about for my clients. I needed no one else’s validation (thanks to my own coach!)
And now, many incredible client transformations later, I’m exactly where I want to be. I have a business that DOES allow me to work from wherever, whenever and with whoever I choose. I’m incredibly proud of the impact I have on my clients’ lives and businesses, AND I make great money.
I know my worth and I charge my worth.
If I work for free or reduce my fee, it’s because I’m choosing to. It’s NEVER because I’m questioning my worth.
THIS is what I want for YOU.
If my story resonates - if you’ve been waiting for some validation from on-high before you can change your job title / amend business description / increase your fees / create a high ticket offer etc, then I invite you to apply for a complimentary strategy session with me.
I have limited space in my diary to do this, so please complete the intake form thoroughly as that’s what I’ll be basing my selection of the recipients of this free coaching on.
I promise you this... by the end of our session together you're going to be ready to put YOUR stake in the ground...
Suggested Listening
073 - Is Overthinking Stunting Your Business Growth?
#070 - Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Great Coach? with Marion Tilly
