I had fun with Hillary Weiss’s style post yesterday. So why not go for two?
(Because you’re a dummy who never knows when to stop, Justin. That’s how you got into this writing-100-headlines-for-100-days thing in the first place.)
The worst way to price anything ever (from someone who fell into the trap) is a great headline for an equally solid blog post. It tells the story of how Hillary under-priced her new service because she couldn’t afford it if it were higher, even though her ideal clients could. This is a super important lesson and I urge you to go read the piece right meow.
Look for this picture that will give you nightmares.
Add some claps, then come back and take a look-see at these 103 alternate lines I wrote for her:
| 1 | How fear sucks the zeroes off your paycheck |
| 2 | The pricing risk that lurks in your launch strategy |
| 3 | If you want to raise your rates, read this |
| 4 | If you don’t think you’re worth more money, you’re not |
| 5 | I didn’t realize how cheap I was until I noticed this |
| 6 | Why what you can afford has nothing to do with your pricing strategy |
| 7 | Even my biggest fans said this price was wrong (and why I should’ve listened) |
| 8 | The dumbest pricing decision I ever made |
| 9 | People get excited by your price (and why that’s terrible for you) |
| 10 | You’d better work (and how to get paid what you’re worth) |
| 11 | Why being cheap ain’t always a good business strategy |
| 12 | Why fear is the biggest enemy of your bank account |
| 13 | I’m not cheap. I’m scared. |
| 14 | Price yourself like a knockoff, get clients who look for a knockoff |
| 15 | Can’t decide to kick your low-value to the curb? Here’s the trick. |
| 16 | How feeling too green prevented me from earning big bucks |
| 17 | This launch mistake made me want to punch my underpriced face |
| 18 | Cheap is a terrible idea. Here’s why. |
| 19 | Hi. I’m a former coward who waited too long to raise her rates |
| 20 | What you think you’re worth vs. what you’re actually worth |
| 21 | Who else is underpriced AF? |
| 22 | How to make what you’re worth (and stop eating ramen every night) |
| 23 | Repeat after me: You are not your ideal client |
| 24 | Why didn’t a veteran writer tell me this was a terrible idea? |
| 25 | What your bank account won’t tell you about your ideal client’s |
| 26 | The secret to increasing your rates |
| 27 | Need some courage to ask for more money? Here it is |
| 28 | Please start pricing what you’re worth |
| 29 | You shouldn’t be able to afford yourself |
| 30 | Why being cheap will never get you where you want to be |
| 31 | The lies you need to tell yourself until you believe you’re worth it |
| 32 | DAMMIT! Why didn’t anyone tell me I was too cheap? |
| 33 | The insight that made my pricing go boom |
| 34 | I was feeling good about my product launch…until they saw my price |
| 35 | All you need to raise your rates, is a little confidence |
| 36 | THIS is the person you should be pricing yourself for |
| 37 | The moment I decided to test if I was a fraud |
| 38 | Are your prices benefiting everyone but you? |
| 39 | Why my best idea failed because my pricing was garbage |
| 40 | Your bank account has nothing to do with your price point |
| 41 | When people smiled and nodded at this business plan, I should’ve taken the hint |
| 42 | I’ve had a lot of great business ideas. This wasn’t one of them. |
| 43 | The pricing strategy that added an extra zero to my income |
| 44 | I priced myself too low because I was afraid |
| 45 | How to have nice things without writing more |
| 46 | The worst best pricing idea ever |
| 47 | You’re worth more than you think you are (unless you’re not) |
| 48 | Why a lower pricing strategy is actually hurting your business |
| 49 | Are you leaving a zero off your rates? |
| 50 | You and your ideal client have far less in common than you think (and that’s OK) |
| 51 | People are laughing at your price (but not for the reason you think) |
| 52 | Every time I can afford myself, I raise my rates |
| 53 | It’s moments like this that make want to punch Fiverr in the face |
| 54 | A simple mantra to make more money |
| 55 | “You get what you pay for” isn’t always true when you’re the copywriter |
| 56 | Why didn’t someone tell me I was too cheap? |
| 57 | Here’s why you can’t have nice things |
| 58 | You’re not still basing your prices off what you can afford, are you? |
| 59 | Why I wish “You get what you pay for” was true for my clients |
| 60 | Hey coward, how much more money could you have made from your last gig? |
| 61 | All you’ve got to do to make more money, is ask |
| 62 | The evil truth about working cheap |
| 63 | Here’s a quick tip to make more money |
| 64 | How to make less money (just like I did for 2 years) |
| 65 | How to lose cheap clients (and start buying better wine) |
| 66 | If you price it, they will come |
| 67 | Here’s what happened when I decided to raise my rates |
| 68 | If you can afford yourself, you my be priced too low |
| 69 | My clients got a lot more than they paid for—because I was afraid |
| 70 | Why “fake it ’til you make it” is terrible advice |
| 71 | It’s not that I was lying to myself about my value—I was just wrong |
| 72 | How to attract customers who can afford what you’re worth |
| 73 | This pricing strategy led to the demise of my surefire product launch |
| 74 | Never listen to old Hillary when it comes to pricing |
| 75 | Big time clients don’t fish in little ponds |
| 76 | The pricing mistake that sucked my confidence dry |
| 77 | After 2 years, I raised my rates. Here’s how my clients took it. |
| 78 | Not sure if you should raise your rates? This will help. |
| 79 | You can only write cheap for so long |
| 80 | Why some of the best writers around will never make more money |
| 81 | How pricing yourself like a knockoff Fendi bag is hurting your image |
| 82 | Why didn’t someone give me this pricing tip sooner? |
| 83 | Cheap is as cheap does |
| 84 | The pitfall of pricing yourself too low |
| 85 | Why it’s OK that you can’t afford yourself |
| 86 | It doesn’t mean a damn thing if you couldn’t afford to hire yourself today |
| 87 | It doesn’t matter what you can afford, it’s what you’re worth (and why didn’t someone tell me that earlier?!) |
| 88 | The longer you write for cheap, the more people will expect from you |
| 89 | How to get bigger clients (and eat less ramen) |
| 90 | How to make more money (and why I didn’t) |
| 91 | It’s time to realize your true value, Mr. Moneybags |
| 92 | Hey scardey cat! Time to raise your rates. |
| 93 | Dude, can we talk about your prices for a minute? |
| 94 | Why pricing yourself low is a sign of being scared |
| 95 | How to go from cheap to… not cheap |
| 96 | How to price what you’re worth |
| 97 | How to face your fears (and make more money) |
| 98 | Here’s your chutzpah. Now go make money. |
| 99 | The dumbest thing I ever did for my wallet |
| 100 | Why your rates have nothing to with your talent—and everything to do with guts |
| 101 | You are not your client—and other things I wish I knew earlier |
| 102 | How the best idea I ever had for my business tanked |
| 103 | Can’t afford yourself? Good. You’re doing it right. |
Overall: Hillary really liked them! She selected and bolded her Top 3, which I think are a good fit. I’m too close to judge, but concerned some feel too obvious for her style. Personally, I still like her original line best of all.
What do you think?
Lessons: First and foremost, the most important lesson is the one in the blog. As for this list, I thought it might be easier than yesterday since I’ve already been in her head. But that wasn’t the case. It would take weeks of channeling my inner-Hillary to match her. And I’m afraid I’d start writing in all-caps if I did that.
- I tried holding myself to a higher standard because I like her original line so much
- It’s tough to write in someone else’s style when she’s had so long to develop it—maybe I should’ve focused more on trying it my way
- As with the others, I kept wanting to stray to ideas not in the article—which would be bad.
- The image of the drowning hand still creeps me out
Mad props to the content writers out there. Between trying for Doug, Hillary and one tomorrow for Alaura Weaver, I’ve gained new respect for this art.
JOIN HILLARY’S BLOG PARTY CHALLENGE!!!!!!
Learn to blog for your business, September 18-22.
C’mon, if I can do this for 100 days, you can it if for 5. Make Clicky.
Time: About 2 hours with a short break Have any headlines or messaging you’d like help with? That’s kinda my thing. Punch me in the inbox.
I know. Too many CTA’s. here’s one more…
K, bye.
Man Justin, I think #5 is a standout!
5 I didn’t realize how cheap I was until I noticed this
Noticed what exactly??? I have to click to find out! Because it may be applicable to me.
Just thinking outloud for my own line of work, “I didn’t realize how important financial planning was until this happened…”:
Man, I might have to use that!
Thanks
Josh