As a sales professional, you’ve probably felt the pressure to lower your prices or match your competitors just to stay in the game. It’s a constant battle, trying to balance what the market demands with what you know you’re worth. But what if I told you that you’re limiting your own profitability—and you don’t have to?
Most salespeople leave significant money on the table because they don't fully recognize the immense value they bring to the table. It’s time to stop undervaluing yourself. You are worth more than you realize. Let's explore why you're leaving money on the table—and how you can turn things around, starting today.
The "Ripping Off" Myth: You Deserve to Be Paid What You're Worth
If you’ve ever felt that charging more than your competition means you’re "ripping off" your clients, it’s time to change that mindset. There’s a big difference between overcharging and charging what you're truly worth. You are offering value, expertise, and solutions that your customers can't get anywhere else.
When you help your clients solve a problem, boost their business, or improve their life, that’s worth something. You’re not "ripping them off"; you’re providing a solution that makes a real impact. It’s time to own the fact that your time, knowledge, and service have value. Charge what you're worth and watch how much more respect you gain from your clients.
Industry Standards Are Holding You Back
Sticking to the industry standard pricing is comfortable. It’s easy. But the truth is, it’s also limiting. The "industry standard" isn’t the bar for what you should charge—it’s the baseline. It doesn’t account for the unique value you bring to the relationship.
Think about it: Your experience, the personal relationships you build, and your knowledge of your client’s needs are things that can’t be replicated by the competition. You’re not just another salesperson—you’re a trusted expert. So why stay stuck in the middle of the pack? It’s time to elevate your pricing to match your value.
Take Control of the Sales Process
Are you letting your clients drive the entire process? It’s easy to fall into the trap of letting the client dictate terms, but here’s the secret: you’re the expert. Take control. Your experience, knowledge, and the solutions you provide are what will help your clients succeed. They need your guidance.
You don’t need to compromise to close a deal. Instead of just giving them what they ask for, show them why your approach is the best solution. When you position yourself as the expert, your clients will trust you more—and you’ll find that closing the sale becomes much easier, even at higher margins.
Stop Devaluing Yourself
In an effort to stay competitive, too many salespeople cut their prices or reduce the value they offer. But here’s the harsh truth: Every time you reduce your value, you’re doing more harm than good. Lowering your prices doesn’t make you more competitive; it makes your offer seem less valuable.
Instead of reducing your prices to compete, focus on increasing the perceived value of what you offer. You are not just a product or a service—you are a solution, a partner, a guide. Your clients don’t just want to buy from you; they want to work with you. They’re paying for your expertise, your insights, and your ability to solve problems. Never forget that.
Raise Your Prices—Without the Pushback
Here's something that may surprise you: Many sales professionals find that when they raise their prices, they face zero pushback. That’s right—customers are willing to pay for what they perceive as high value. It’s all about how you communicate your offering. When you show your clients how your solution will benefit them, they’re not as concerned with the price tag as you might think.
So, don’t be afraid to raise your margins. When you do, you’ll likely find that not only do you face little to no resistance, but you’ll also build stronger, more lucrative relationships. The key is to focus on what you offer, how it’s going to help, and why it’s worth the investment.
You’re Worth More Than You Think—It’s Time to Embrace It
If you’ve ever sold yourself short, it’s time to stop. You’re a professional who brings unique value to every deal you make. Your knowledge, relationships, and expertise are all worth paying for. You don't have to sacrifice profitability to stay competitive. In fact, when you truly recognize your worth and communicate it effectively, you’ll be surprised by the results.
Ready to Take Action?
If you’re tired of undervaluing yourself and want to see how high your profitability can really go, it's time to take action. Start by recognizing your value and charging what you’re worth. Take control of the sales process and stop letting the client dictate terms. Raise your prices if you need to—and watch your relationships strengthen and your profits grow.
You’re capable of achieving so much more than you’ve been giving yourself credit for. It’s time to stop leaving money on the table and start earning what you truly deserve.
Are you ready to step up and unlock your full potential? Your future self will thank you.
Until next month, continued good selling – know your value, up your profits.
Cliff Quicksell, CSP, MAS+, MASI, has been a driving force in the promotional products
industry for over four decades. As President of Cliff Quicksell Associates &
QuicksellSpeaks, he is internationally recognized for his dynamic work as a speaker,
coach, trainer, and consultant—empowering businesses and associations to market
smarter, engage deeper, and grow stronger.
Cliff's long list of accolades includes his 2021 induction into the PPAI Hall of Fame and
the prestigious CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation in 2023—an honor
held by fewer than 7% of speakers worldwide and the only active professional in the
promotional products industry to achieve it.
A true creative innovator, Cliff has earned more than 40 PPAI Pyramid Awards,5 PSDA
Peak Awards, and 13 CPPA PEAKE Awards. He’s a six-time winner of PPAI’s
Ambassador Speaker of the Year and was the first-ever recipient of the PPAI
Distinguished Service Award. Recognized in PPAI at 100 and named one of Counselor
Magazine’s Top 50 Most Influential People in the industry, Cliff is celebrated for his
passionate contributions to industry education and thought leadership.
His award-winning blog, 30 Seconds to Greatness, was honored with the 8LMedia
Award for Most Passed Around Content. Stay connected with Cliff on LinkedIn or email
him at cliff@QuicksellSpeaks.com. Visit www.QuicksellSpeaks.com for upcoming
events and podcast updates. Cliff is also preparing to launch a new venture dedicated
to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive utilizing a custom AI designed
specifically for Promo World, called MerchPilot™.