Pricing Confusion: Stop Guessing and Start Charging What You Deserve
Let’s just go ahead and say it:
If your pricing makes you nervous to say out loud, you’re probably undercharging.
So many talented makers fall into this trap. You pour your heart into your work, but when it’s time to put a price on it? You freeze. You start guessing. You start comparing. You start shrinking.
But here’s the truth:
Pricing isn’t about what people are willing to pay. It’s about what your business needs to survive.
Why Pricing Feels So Hard
It’s not just math—it’s emotional.
You’re worried people won’t buy.
You’re afraid of seeming “too expensive.”
You’ve had family or friends say things like “I could just make that myself.” 🙄
So you price low, hoping to attract more buyers. But what actually happens?
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You burn out trying to make more for less.
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You barely cover costs.
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You end up resenting the work you used to love.
Nah. We’re not doing that anymore.
Let’s Get Real About Your Numbers
Here’s what your price should cover:
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Your materials
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Your time (Yes, your hourly rate matters!)
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Overhead (Think website fees, packaging, tools, shipping supplies, marketing…)
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Profit (Because this is a business, not a break-even hustle)
Try this simple pricing formula as a starting point:
Materials + (Hourly rate × time spent) + Overhead cushion = Base Price
Now add at least 25-50% profit margin to that number.
Then ask yourself: Would I feel good making this over and over at this price? If the answer’s no—it needs to go up.
Stop Comparing to Big Box Stores
You’re not Walmart. You’re not Amazon. You’re not selling factory-made, mass-produced goods.
You’re selling care, quality, and creativity.
People don’t buy handmade because it’s cheap. They buy it because it’s meaningful.
So let’s stop acting like we have to compete with people who aren’t even in our lane.
Action Step: Audit Your Pricing Today
Pick one of your products and do a mini audit:
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List your material costs
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Estimate how long it takes you to make (in hours)
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Decide what your time is worth per hour (start at $25 if you don’t know)
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Add in a little extra for packaging, shipping, or platform fees
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Add a profit margin (yes, even if it feels scary)
Write that new number down. Say it out loud. Get used to it.
That’s your price—not your hope, not your guess, not your compromise.
You Deserve to Be Paid for Your Magic
Pricing for profit isn’t greedy. It’s sustainable.
It’s what allows you to keep showing up, keep creating, and keep growing a business that feeds your soul and your bank account.
So stop selling yourself short.
Stop apologizing for your prices.
And stop trying to “be affordable” for people who aren’t your people.
The right customers will see the value—and pay for it.