Thread by @ronaldnzimora

21 Lessons My Mentor Taught Me

Lesson 14: #MentorDiaries You Are Worth What You Believe You are Worth.

I was with some members of my team today, explaining a concept to them and to get them to "get it", I told them the story that's the topic of this thread.

Continues below

In 2009, I was farming out my time as a copywriter. A copywriter creates content and concepts for marketing campaigns.

Back then i was charging =N=10,000 per project. And I was preety good at it.

Now I am a sage at it.

Anyways, so my mentors calls and asks to see me. And I go.

Dr. Ojeagbase: Ronald, I want you to write a SalesLetter for our upcoming event, (describes event).

How much is your fee?

Ronald: =N=10,000 Sir.

I replied looking at him. His face was expressionless.

He picks up a pen, brought out his cheque book and starts writing.

Soon...

He tears out a cheque from the booklet and hands it to me.

Dr. Ojeagbase: Here you go, Ron. A cheque for =N=100,000.

As I stretch my hand to coolect it and I hold the cheque, he doesn't release it and for a brief moment, I wonder, "Damn, what did I do wrong?"

Then he says...

Dr Ojeagbase: You know Ron, if you had asked for =N100,000 for this work, you would have gotten it. I

Then he releases the cheque and continues...

Dr. Ojeagbase: I would have gladly paid you because I know how good you are at writing content that sells but you think you're...

worth just =N=10,000 so that's what you'll get.

Okay look, if earlier I thought I had done something wrong, now my emotions had turned 360° and I felt ashamed of myself.

Then he continued.

Dr. Ojeagbase: Ron, you have a gift that is rare in business. You can convince people...

strangers, to buy stuff. Its a skill and gift that's made people millionaires abroad and I belive it will do the same here. But for you to do it here, you must believe that you are really worth it. You must stop selling yourself short. You must start asking for what you're worth.

Then he goes on to explain that fear and shortsightedness can keep you earning less than you should.

Then he said.

Dr. Ojeagbase: "But you also cant just go off and start asking for something just because. You must be truly worth it. You should have the skill and experience...

many times forged through trial and error and refinement.

Most importantly, you must believe in those abilities and how much effect it will bring to your prospect far more than what you're charging them. Then you can go ahead and ask for what you are worth, BOLDLY, without fear.

And if someone isn't willing to oay what you are worth, you must have the confidence to let them go. And in any case why you would even sell your service to someone who can't pay for it."

Look I can remember all of the details but I learned a great lesson that day. So much...

I immediately raised my price to, guess what? Yes =N=100,000.

The next client who asked for my fee was wuated that and they paid. Three months later I was being paid =N250,000 for the same thing I was charging =N=10,000 for a few month back. It was incredible.

Today we get...

paid millions for essentially the same thing but with a lot more finesse.

I want you to look at your products, your services etc. How much value is it bringing to your target customers? Charge what it's worth and then target people who need that thing and can pay for it.

Selah!