How to Talk About Your Prices Without Feeling Awkward
- John Lally
- May 18
- 3 min read
Pricing Doesn’t Have to Be the Awkward Bit
You’re great at what you do. But when someone asks, “How much do you charge?”, it’s easy to freeze.
What if they think it’s too expensive?What if you haven’t worked it out yet? What if they ask for a discount?
If you’ve ever felt weird talking about price, you’re not alone. Many small business owners struggle with it, especially if you’re doing the work and managing enquiries. But here’s the thing: clear, confident pricing builds trust. And it makes life easier for both you and your customer.
This post shows how to talk about it without cringing.

1. Be Clear About What’s Included (and What Isn’t)
One of the biggest sources of pricing anxiety? Ambiguity.
If your pricing is vague, people make assumptions, and that’s when misunderstandings, ghosting, or haggling start.
Instead, aim to show:
What’s included in the price
Any common extras or options
What the process looks like
What’s not included (and why)
Example:
“Our wedding stationery bundles start at £95, including personalised design, envelopes, and digital proofing. Optional extras like wax seals or address printing are available too.”
The clearer you are, the more confident your customer feels about reaching out.
2. You Don’t Have to Put Prices on Your Website — But You Probably Should
Some business owners worry about scaring people off. But not showing pricing can also put people off, especially if they assume “no prices” means “very expensive.”
Here’s a compromise that works:
Show a “starting from” price
Offer package ranges
Include examples of what different price points cover
Invite people to get in touch for a quote, with a clear process
3. Don’t Apologise for Your Prices
You’re not charging for your time, you’re charging for your skill, reliability, experience, and the value you provide. If you apologise, hesitate, or say “I know it’s a bit expensive, but…”, you plant doubt in the customer’s mind.
Try this instead:
“Our prices reflect the time and detail involved, and the peace of mind that it’s done properly.”
If you’re fair, consistent, and clear, you don’t need to justify. Your ideal clients will get it.
4. Answer the “Why Does It Cost That?” Question Up Front
If someone’s never bought your service before, they won’t always know what goes into it. A quick breakdown builds trust.
Example for branding work:
“Our logo design process includes a discovery call, multiple concept options, revision rounds, and final file delivery in multiple formats. It’s more than just a logo — it’s the foundation of your brand.”
Whether it’s creative work, hands-on labour, or consulting, helping people understand what’s behind the price can reduce friction and increase respect.
5. If You Don’t Want to Talk About Price Every Time, Systemise It
If repeating yourself is part of the problem, create a:
Pricing PDF or one-pager
“How it works” section on your site
FAQ page with your most common pricing questions
Pre-written email template or WhatsApp quick reply
This keeps you consistent, and saves you from writing the same thing over and over.
6. Show That You’re Worth It
You don’t need to go full hard-sell, but a few trust-building touches can help reinforce your pricing:
Testimonials from happy clients
Before/after examples
Breakdown of value
Guarantees or “what to expect” copy
Let the proof do the talking.
Final Thought: Clear Pricing = Less Stress, Better Leads
When you explain your prices clearly, you:
Attract the right customers
Reduce time-wasting messages
Build trust
Start the conversation from a place of confidence
Price isn’t the problem. Confusion is. So lead with clarity, and trust that the right people will respect it.
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