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Jelly Roll was being interviewed when he said something I can’t stop thinking about.
He doesn’t regret the tattoos on his face.
He regrets the ones on his arms.
When asked why, his answer stopped me cold: those were the cheap ones.
“I even paid for one with a dime bag of weed,” he admitted, “and it came out LOOKING like a dime bag of weed.”
That hit me hard. How many of us do this exact same thing in business?
We’ll drop $300 on clothes that fall apart in months but question paying an artist $300 for something permanent?
Makes absolutely no sense.
But then I realized something deeper. When our clients question our rates, it’s rarely about the actual price. It’s about what THEY value.
Some people will happily pay thousands for expertise that transforms their business. Others will haggle over $50 for the same service.
The difference isn’t you. It’s them.
The Most Expensive Lesson I Ever Learned
Years ago, I got tired of clients questioning my rates. I thought lowering my prices would bring in more business.
It did. But it brought in the wrong business.
I spent months working with clients who:
- Asked for endless revisions
- Questioned every recommendation
- Paid late (if at all)
- Drained my energy and passion
That’s when I realized the painful truth:
You don’t get the clients you dream for. You get the clients you tolerate.
The moment I raised my rates back up—actually, even higher than before—something magical happened. The quality of my clients instantly improved.
Not because the higher price magically made me better at what I do. But because it filtered out people who didn’t truly value the transformation I provide.
Just like that tattoo paid for with weed, cheap work usually looks… cheap.
What Are You Undervaluing? Take a moment to reflect:
- Where are you compromising your value to win business?
- Which clients drain your energy because they don’t truly value what you offer?
- What would happen if you raised your standards instead of lowering your rates?
Try this AI prompt to gain clarity: “Here’s my current pricing structure: [insert details]. What signs might indicate I’m undervaluing my services, and how can I attract clients who appreciate my true worth?”
Ready to Stop Undervaluing Your Expertise?
If you’re tired of clients who question your worth and ready to build a brand that attracts people who value what you offer, join my next Storytelling Workshop.
You’ll learn how to:
- Position your expertise so price becomes secondary to value
- Tell stories that justify premium pricing
- Attract clients who respect your boundaries and expertise
- Turn away prospects who aren’t a good fit (without burning bridges)
Remember this: Don’t lower your rate. Raise your standards.
The clients who value you are out there—but first, you have to value yourself.
Stay Savage, Terry
PS: The clients who haggle over your rates aren’t your dream clients. They’re showing you exactly who they are. Believe them the first time, and make room for the clients who deserve your expertise.
Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or book a 1:1 call.
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