Episode 19: When should you raise your rates and how do you do it without panicking?!

Send us Fan Mail **When should you raise your rates and how do you do it without panicking?!** In this episode, I’m opening up the hush-hush conversation about money in the audiobook industry. We’re talking about underpricing, scarcity, ongoing series, loyalty rates, invisible labor, and the fear that charging more will make you less castable. Most importantly, I’m giving you a practical plan for moving from where your rates are now to where you want them to be—with real timelines and language you can use when talking to clients. Your rate isn’t a verdict on your worth. It’s a business decision about what your career needs to remain financially, physically, and creatively sustainable. **In this episode:** - When questioning your rate becomes a reason to review it - Why being fully booked doesn’t necessarily mean your business is sustainable - The difference between your personal worth and your business rate - How invisible labor affects what you actually earn - Moving from your current rate to your target rate - Choosing a 30-, 60-, or 90-day transition timeline - Raising rates for new clients - Giving existing clients clear notice - Handling ongoing series and returning-client rates - Charging appropriately for research, accents, pickups, and rush deadlines - What to say when a client’s budget doesn’t match your rate - Making intentional exceptions without letting fear make the decision - Why one client saying no doesn’t mean your increase failed - How to review the results after three or six months - Navigating transparency, union minimums, and contract confidentiality **Client notification script:** “I wanted to let you know that beginning \[DATE], my standard narration rate will be increasing from \[CURRENT RATE] to \[NEW RATE]. Projects contracted before that date will remain at our previously agreed rate. I have loved working with you and wanted to give you plenty of time to plan for upcoming projects.” **Ongoing-series script:** “Since we began this series, my standard rate has increased to \[STANDARD RATE]. For the next book in our series, I can offer a returning-client rate of \[TRANSITION RATE]. Beginning with the following installment, my standard rate will apply.” **When the budget doesn’t align:** “I understand. If the budget changes for this or a future project, I would love to talk again.” **Your rate-raising checklist:** 01. Write down where your rate is now. 02. Decide where you want it to be. 03. Calculate the invisible labor behind the number. 04. Define what your standard rate includes. 05. Choose an effective date. 06. Begin quoting the new rate to new clients. 07. Give existing clients reasonable notice. 08. Create a transition plan for ongoing series. 09. Decide what would justify an exception. 10. Review the results after three or six months. Your rate is not carved in stone. As your experience, expenses, workload, and goals change, your business is allowed to change with them. The goal isn’t to become unaffordable to everyone. The goal is to build a career that is financially, mentally, physically, and creatively sustainable. *This episode shares personal experience and general business education. It is not legal, financial, or union-contract advice. Review your individual agreements and consult the appropriate union representative or qualified professional when needed.*  Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  [Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree](https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3) and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.