How Much Value Do You Place on Your Time and Talent?

I'm a member of several small business forums, and it never ceases to amaze me how little value some people place on their time and talent. I constantly see writers willing to write articles for as little as $2 or $5. I was recently visiting a forum, and a woman was offering to write press releases for only $5. That's not even minimum wage. Are you kidding me?

The question is why? Why do some marketers place so little value on their time and talent? When you undervalue your services that way, it gives the impression you're desperate. That's never the type of impression you want to make in business.

I no longer accept writing clients, because quite frankly, I'm booked solid for a long, long time. But when I was still accepting clients, I charged a minimum of $125 for a single 500 word article, and my clients paid my price without hesitation.

And for many of my writing services, I charged a minimum of $1 per word for my time and talent. I've earned as much as $7500 for a single sales letter for a Soduku puzzle e-book.

The problem with undervaluing your services is this: If prospects know they can purchase your writing services for a measley $2 or $5, why would they pay you more, later on down the road? After all, you've established you'll work for next to nothing. And if you don't meet their price expectations, they'll just find someone else with bargain basement prices who will.

Here's what I've learned about pricing my services over the years: If you've got it, flaunt it. If you place a premium on your time and talent, others will as well.

And if you don't, well...others won't either.