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Rating: 
Summary: A must read for all business owners!
Review: As a small business owner I was looking for a book that would assist us in our pricing. "How Much Should I Charge" did just that and more. This book is an excellent tool that brought up expenses we would have never thought of including in our selling price.
Rating: 
Summary: It could have been different
Review: I have been reading several books on the science/art of pricing products and services. I actually ordered this book by mistake. (Sorry Ellen!) The cover made me think it was too goofy, to "entry level" for me. After all, I have been in the consulting business for years. But, I could not put the book down. It took me less than a day to get through the book and the exercises Ms. Rohr included. The manner in which this book is written, a story of a lady interested in starting a business and talking with her business savvy friend, is fantastic. By the time I was done my jaw was on the floor. I was astonished to see the true cost of running my business laid out before me. Figuring out my "break-even point" was a real eye opener and has drastically affected the rates I now charge for my services. The value of this book to anyone struggling to effectively price their goods or services will far outway the cost. The information Ms. Rohr provides can be applied to any industry / business.
Rating:
Summary: Funny reading, easy to understand, and super results!
Review: I have been reading several books on the science/art of pricing products and services. I actually ordered this book by mistake. (Sorry Ellen!) The cover made me think it was too goofy, to "entry level" for me. After all, I have been in the consulting business for years. But, I could not put the book down. It took me less than a day to get through the book and the exercises Ms. Rohr included. The manner in which this book is written, a story of a lady interested in starting a business and talking with her business savvy friend, is fantastic. By the time I was done my jaw was on the floor. I was astonished to see the true cost of running my business laid out before me. Figuring out my "break-even point" was a real eye opener and has drastically affected the rates I now charge for my services. The value of this book to anyone struggling to effectively price their goods or services will far outway the cost. The information Ms. Rohr provides can be applied to any industry / business.
Rating:
Summary: Five stars isn't enough For this book
Review: I've been a self emplyed remodeling contractor for 10 years. I've read lots of business books. This one is, in my humble opinion, one of the best.In "How Much Should I Charge" Ellen Rohr explains the folly of setting a price for your professional services based on the going rate (what others are charging for similar services). Quoting business sage Frank Blau, she makes the point that being "Busy is easy. Profitability is difficult. And there is only one way to be profitable. Charge more for your services than it costs to create them." Yeah, it's a basic point, but do you know what YOUR break-even cost per hour is? I didn't either, and that's a common problem in the service trades. If you don't know your costs of being in business, how can you determine a realistic price for your services? A price that allows you to get ahead, not just tread water. In this book Ellen tells you how to create a selling price based on real numbers. She explains things like overhead and budgets and profit and billable hours and all of that. And the really commendable thing about it is that she manages to present all of this information in an entertaining, easy-to-read maner. There is a lot of rock solid common sense and fundamental business wisdom here and it's not boring or hard to follow like in so many other business books. You can't read this book without being challenged to reevaluate the approach you take to pricing your services. For most service professionals, that's a reevaluation that is sorely needed. In short, Ellen's excellent book tells you how to take control of your business; to get in the drivers seat and take it where you want it to go based on real costs of doing business, your own special talents as a service professional, and your own personal goals and dreams in life. I'd like to share one particularly poignant passage from the book. It is profound. It is true. It's something I can relate to. "Add up all the real costs of running a business. And charge a selling price that will cover all those costs plus generate a solid double-digit profit for the company. Don't sacrifice everything for the sake of keeping your prices low. Because, when you compromise yourself and your family's well being for the sake of your customer's wallet, something nasty happens. You start treating your customers like dirt. When you make a great living doing the wonderful work that you do, somethiing marvelous happens; you treat your customers like gold! You thank them for providing you with such a nice living. You go out of your way to do nice things for them." Some people will find what Ellen says about pricing to be provocative. Some will argue that her system can't work in their business or their area, or whatever. These are the people who equate "busy" with success,but who, despite their busyness never seem to get ahead financially like they would like (and should). The fact is, Ellen's approach can and does work. I'll vouch for it. And I know there are successful service professionals all over the nation who will vouch for it. To succeed in business without a firm understanding and application of Ellen's pricing principles would be sheer luck. I'll close with another quote from the book: "Until YOU change, nothing will change for you" Get the book. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: How much money do you want to make?
Review: If you're new into business or a veteran, this book will answer the question of pricing. So many of us work hard at the wrong price. A clear and understandable method for charging the right price. Thanks!!
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Summary: The Other Reviewers Must Be FAMILY MEMBERS....
Review: The book is not absolutely horrible.... its just so fundamentally basic as to be elementary. The principal message: add up all of your expenses along with how much you want to earn and simply make certain that you charge customers/clients more. Hummmm... food for thought. If you've ever taken a business class in high school (not to mention college, an MBA program, or have any business experience at all), this book is beneath you. Otherwise, the book has been well-written and well-illustrated. Grade: C-/D+
Rating:
Summary: It could have been different
Review: This book is mediocre. The layout is fine, quite attractive. But the contents are obvious. One can hardly believe that somebody needed to write a book about it. There is nearly no insight. Only common sense.
The writer is skilled, she could have made a much better book on a wider subject. But where she stands with this book, it is simply poor. You should read instead her other book which is very good: "Where Did the Money Go?".
Rating:
Summary: A must for all creative people trying to make a living.
Review: Wow !! Finally a helpful book. Being a potter and making each item by hand has always caused me to ask "How much should I charge?". After years of searching for help in this area I came across this wonderful book. Those with MBA's may not need this book, but those of us with BFA's, MFA"s and just plain creative talents will find this book very educational. Ellen's easy reading style and logical approach to pricing makes this book a "must have". Many myths about pricing are pointed out, like charging what every one else does or what the market will bear. If I am to make a living creating handmade items it is important to identify my customer and realize I am not competing with mass produced products. Thank you Ellen for putting me on the road to profitablity.
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