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Power Pricing - Getting the Right Price for Your Products and Services


There's an old joke about the New York City blackout. Power was out everywhere, and the electric company couldn't figure out what was wrong or how to fix it. Finally, they decided that the only one who could solve the problem was a long-retired worker who knew the system inside and out. He came out to the power plant, looked around, picked up a hammer and tapped one of the generators.

Suddenly, lights came on all through the area. Overwhelmed with relief that the problem was solved, they asked how much they owed him. "$20,000," he replied. $20,000? For tapping with a hammer? "Well," he said, "tapping with the hammer is $10. Knowing where to tap is worth $19,990."

There are a couple of lessons to be learned from the joke. First of all, the value is higher when the problem still exists than after it has been solved. After all, if told he could restore the power for $20,000, officials would have written him the check immediately, without question. Afterward, the problem wasn't so urgent--it was solved. Quote your price and get agreement while the customer still feels the urgency (and the pain that you will remove). That's when the value is highest to them. Your agreement can include conditions and guarantees, such as the results you will obtain, and deadlines, if they want assurances about results.

Maintain a little mystery. If they hadn't known that all he did was tap with a hammer, his services would have seemed more valuable. After all, they got the result they valued--the power was restored. Focus on the results, not exactly what methodology will be used. Don't let customers look behind the curtain. (Remember the Wizard of Oz?)

If you are the only one who provides a particular product or service, or you have skills or training no one else does, the value of what you offer goes up. Highlight your exclusive set of training, education and experience. Use unique language to describe what you do. You can also create an aura of exclusivity by screening clients, and only accepting those who meet your criteria. This can work if you have a reputation already, but it can also help build your reputation, if you've got the guts to try it!

Consider what your clients are used to paying, and charge at least that much. If your clients are used to paying $100 an hour, and you come in at $50, you probably won't get the job. On the other hand, if you can show that you are worth $150, you may be able to charge more than the going rate.

Another way to get an hourly rate higher than others is to charge by the project, rather than the hour. For example, maybe you charge $150 instead of $100 an hour, but you get the job done in fewer hours. Get the client to look at total cost, rather than hourly rates. Once again, get them focused on results.

This issue comes up all the time in my publishing classes, where I remind students that they are not selling paper. They are selling the information printed on the paper--information that will improve the lives of the people who use it. Paper is cheap. Useful information isn't.

Keep in mind that the value of your product or service is related to the benefits your customers receive, and how they value those benefits. Present what you sell as solutions to problems, and you can charge premium prices for your excellent products and services.

Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.


MORE RESOURCES:

Negotation Skills - Google News

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Medical events in Riney's sights - Crain's Detroit Business


REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Medical events in Riney's sights
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Riney has honed his relationship and negotiation skills during his 33-year career at Henry Ford by working in nearly every one of the system's business units. And he's forged relationships with numerous national leaders as vice chairman of the National ...

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Harvard helps J&K cops shed killer image - Daily News & Analysis


Harvard helps J&K cops shed killer image
Daily News & Analysis
The police have roped in experts from Harvard University to introduce soft skills including negotiation and communication, listening skills, ethics and professional conduct based on a public service mindset. Conducted by Jim Tull, the training covered ...

'Hone negotiating skills to seal robust contracts' - Hindu Business Line


Hindu Business Line

'Hone negotiating skills to seal robust contracts'
Hindu Business Line
Robustness of a contract flows from the skill to negotiate convincingly and manage trade relationships and commitments, according to a leading management consultant. This requires constant updating of knowledge and exposure to various international ...

Learn to negotiate - GreaterKashmir.com


Learn to negotiate
GreaterKashmir.com
Close your eyes for a minute and think how many times you negotiated yesterday, you will see that your day almost started with negotiation and even ended with it. It is not just negotiation. There are other important abstract skills that we practice in ...

Donald Trump Gets Chumped in Century 21 Super Bowl Ad - Reuters


Donald Trump Gets Chumped in Century 21 Super Bowl Ad
Reuters
But the Donald's latest collaboration takes a playful dig at the famously egocentric real-estate mogul's negotiation skills. Also read: Super Bowl Ad Sneak: Preview Seinfeld, Ferris, "Hunger Games" and All the Rest In the spot, Trump goes head-to-head ...

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Three Negotiation Skills That Can Jumpstart The Economy - Forbes


Three Negotiation Skills That Can Jumpstart The Economy
Forbes
In a commercial environment laden with these challenges, negotiation skills are a key skill set to getting the economy back on track. Negotiation skills are the life-blood of business. From the decisions made by executives at the top, ...

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West Point group teaches art of negotiation - ArmyTimes.com


West Point group teaches art of negotiation
ArmyTimes.com
Perhaps no Army organization values the power of persuasion like the West Point Negotiation Project, a group that is changing the way cadets and soldiers communicate — often by teaching techniques that fly in the face of traditional Army bravado.

The art of negotiating - Fiji Times


The art of negotiating
Fiji Times
Negotiation is an art and those who are good at it can bring success to a business entity. For international business, negotiation techniques and skills are necessary tools of the trade. Before we move to international trade and business, ...

Negotiation Skills have Global Appeal - NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)


Negotiation Skills have Global Appeal
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)
"The students who sign up to improve their negotiating skills represents every aspect of ambition in life from securing admission to a particular university, improving the profits of an individual company or a giant corporation, counseling patients, ...

The Top 3 Negotiation Skills That Will Advance Your Career - MarketWatch (press release)


The Top 3 Negotiation Skills That Will Advance Your Career
MarketWatch (press release)
Jim Camp, states, "You are only one decision away from safety and one decision away from success when you have a system of negotiation." One should know strong negotiation skills are life's corner stone to all you will ever build.

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