Hey,

So I started off on AW around 6 weeks ago and things are going well.  However, I've set a particular price and now realise it's way lower than other girls in my area!

I'm thinking that I want to increase my prices.  I've got a special offer on for August, and I think once that's over I'd like to put them up.  I'm a bit worried that this will put customers off though???  Has anyone else increased their prices, and if so have you noticed any change in your business either way?

AW was my first ad (actually it was my second, my first ad was on City of Love, which I haven't even had one contact from and now realise nobody has actually heard of, you life and learn).  Now I'm getting bookings and wanting to advertise more it feels like the right time to set a correct rate, but I feel like I'm a bit all over the place really.

Any comments/advice very welcome!

Thanks.
CG

Hi CG,

I increased my prices earlier in the year by about 15% after I had new pictures taken and there hasn't been any detrimental change to business. In fact, I think I get more bookings after but I cannot pinpoint that exactly to the raise. My regulars didn't complain, save for one. He didn't see me for a while after the increase but recently started to visit me again at my new rate 

I must say that I was very much happier as I felt my new rates were more appropriate for what I was offering. I'm also thinking of another raise after my next photoshoot but am hesitant as it seems too greedy. The first raise was done 10 months after I started and if I effect this new increase, it would be 2 increases in 16 months. But if I'm going through with it, I'm definitely keeping regulars at the old rate this time. Perhaps you can consider grandfathering your older rates for regulars so you keep their business?

What I would absolutely loathe to have to do is to decrease my price back down if the increase doesn't pan out. 

Hi I am in the same situation most in my area are ?20-?30 more than me, all you can do is give it a try, if it doesn't work you can put them back.

You might find you have clients booking that thought your old prices were too cheap.

From my experience I'd say expect 10~20% decrease of booking.

But as long as you don't increase your rate too radically it should be fine.

I raised my rates from ?60 half hour/?100 hour to ?80/?120. My income increased. I got fewer half-hour bookings and the same number of hours. Actually, I got more hour bookings because I wasn't giving away my precious lunchtime hours to half-hour bookings. So, my income increased sightly.

Quote from: rinaxeee on 05 August 2014, 11:04:44 pm

From my experience I'd say expect 10~20% decrease of booking.

But as long as you don't increase your rate too radically it should be fine.

I raised my rates from ?60 half hour/?100 hour to ?80/?120. My income increased. I got fewer half-hour bookings and the same number of hours. Actually, I got more hour bookings because I wasn't giving away my precious lunchtime hours to half-hour bookings. So, my income increased sightly.

That's exactly the increase I'm looking to make...thanks!