Session Snippets: How to develop efficient payment strategies for your customers

In this session, my client came in wanting to solidify their pricing options for their business. Specifically, they wanted to determine their philosophy on pricing so that they could create an “efficient” payment system.

My goal is to make sure that my clients feel confident about whatever they land on. So when I hear a word that connotes some sort of judgment, that’s what I ask about. Even if the word sounds “good” on the surface. I find that when people throw out a seemingly “positive” statement, they are motivated by shame to accomplish something specific. I “should” be doing this “good” thing and I am upset that I’m not.

This is why I spend my energy reviewing the form of what my clients are saying, not necessarily the content. Rather than wondering about my opinion on what they should or shouldn’t do, I’m asking myself, are they saying what they really mean? What they believe? Or are they speaking from a place of “should”?

So when my client came in claiming they wanted an “efficient” payment system, while on the surface that may seem like a good idea, my curiosity went to the meaning behind the word.

So I asked:

You’ll experience this a lot with me: I’ll ask you to define something that seems pretty straightforward. I do this all the time, maybe several times even in one session.

This addresses two things: first it makes sure that we are on the same page about definitions. The meaning and value of the word “efficient” may mean one thing to me and something completely different to my client. Second, it allows the client the space to reflect on the motivations driving the evaluative term. Often when clients define the terms they use they realize that the terms are shorthand for a philosophy or motivation that doesn’t serve them or doesn’t apply to them.

This question reset things for my client.

From there we discussed more about my client’s personal values related to their business: why they are creating it and what they are hoping to do for others.

In this case, the label “efficient” reinforced the idea that my client will fail their clients. It focused the attention on preemptively protecting them against being underpaid or disappointing others. After reconsidering the motivations behind their business, my client was able to shift their perspective towards what needed to happen in that moment for them to be able to take the next step in their business: they doubled down on self-compassion and acknowledged the learning process they were in. They acknowledged that they were going to make mistakes but that knowledge was freeing rather than punishing. They designed this new narrative on their own, and they’ll be able to generate it again, too.

From our session, we devised a simple, standardized payment strategy that respected my client’s time and created leeway for learning. Because of our session, my client was able to complete and publish their website to start advertising their work. Without this clarity, they shared that they would have continued to sit on the work in progress, mulling over possibilities.

This is one of those times that highlights the magic of coaching. Sometimes the blocker feels so simple that we disregard the power of our language. We think our business is blocked on a technicality or because of a lack of information. We build narratives like, “if only I had the right information on pricing models, I’ll be able to start advertising my services.” Coaching gave my client the space to define one word that changed the trajectory of their business development and unlocked the path forward.

If this client story resonated with you, remember that lasting change comes from having the right support, strategy, and accountability to turn insight into action.

That’s exactly what I help my coaching clients do. If you’re ready to start creating change, I’d love to connect. Explore my current offerings or schedule a complimentary discovery call.