Stop Stressing About Raising Fees – We’ve Got You Covered

Raising fees can feel nerve-wracking—palms sweaty, mind racing, worrying if clients will walk away. But with the right approach, it’s an opportunity to strengthen relationships by clearly communicating the value you bring. That’s why we created a foolproof fee-increase letter to make these conversations stress-free, professional, and effective—because your expertise is worth it!

5 min read

Micah Shilanski
Micah Shilanski
Financial Planner, CFP®

Imagine this: you’re sitting across from a client, and it’s time to have that dreaded conversation about raising fees.

You’re nervous, right? Your palms are sweaty, and you’re thinking, “What if they walk away?” I get it – it’s something we’ve all faced.

Now, flashback to a time when I was in a similar boat. A vendor I worked with decided to double their fees out of nowhere, claiming they were offering the same services. I was taken aback, and I told them, “No thanks, I’ll find someone else”. This experience taught me a crucial lesson: when you raise fees, you must communicate the value you’re adding, not just the price hike.

Years ago, I was gearing up for a significant fee increase in my practice. I had this fear – like a lot of advisors do – that my clients would all leave me, and I’d end up holding a “will financial plan for food” sign on the street. But here’s the kicker: I realized that if I clearly communicated the value I was providing, my clients wouldn’t just understand – they’d appreciate it.

So, I crafted a letter explaining not just the fee increase but the enhanced value and services they would receive. I even set up a script for my team to handle any concerns with confidence and clarity. And you know what happened? My clients were more than willing to pay the new fee because they saw the worth in what we offered. It was a game-changer.

The moral here is that raising fees isn’t about the money – it’s about the value. When you focus on that, those conversations transform from stressful to empowering. What’s one way you think you can showcase your value to your clients during a fee increase?

Stop Stressing About Raising Fees – We’ve Got You Covered

Let’s be honest: raising fees is no one’s favorite task. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright stressful. But here’s the good news – it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and approach, you can turn those dreaded conversations into confident, professional exchanges that strengthen your client relationships instead of straining them.

That’s exactly why we created a resource to take the guesswork out of raising fees: an expertly crafted fee-increase letter. This document is designed to help you clearly communicate your value, justify your fees, and maintain trust with your clients. It’s the ultimate shortcut to making fee adjustments without the stress or second-guessing.

Start Charging What You’re Worth

You work hard to deliver exceptional results and personalized service for your clients – so why hesitate to charge what you’re truly worth? Too often, advisors hold back, worried about how clients will react. But the truth is, when you clearly communicate your value, clients are more likely to understand and appreciate the change.

Our fee-increase template is designed with that balance in mind – blending professionalism with personality to ensure your message resonates. It allows you to explain the adjustment in a way that feels authentic, clear, and reassuring, helping clients feel confident in continuing to work with you.

We’ve Got Your Back Every Step of the Way

We know that a fee-increase letter is just one part of the equation. That’s why we didn’t stop there. To make sure you feel fully supported during the process, we’ve included two follow-up email templates to keep the conversation on track. These emails are crafted to:

  • Address any lingering questions clients may have,
  • Reinforce the value and personalized service you deliver, and
  • Maintain trust and transparency throughout the process.

With these tools, you’ll have everything you need to confidently navigate fee conversations from start to finish.

Make Fee Conversations Seamless

Raising fees may never be your favorite task, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. By using our expertly crafted templates, you can approach these conversations with clarity, confidence, and professionalism.

It’s time to stop undervaluing your expertise and start charging what you’re worth. Your clients value the work you do – and when communicated effectively, they’ll understand why your fees reflect that.

Take control of the conversation, maintain strong relationships, and feel great about the value you deliver because you deserve it


Action Items

Conduct a value assessment by taking time to evaluate your services, expertise, and results, making a list of the unique value you provide to your clients.
Prepare a communication plan by drafting a clear and transparent message that outlines the reasons for the fee increase, specifying improvements or changes in services.
Create client-focused examples by gathering testimonials and case studies that illustrate the positive outcomes clients have experienced, and prepare to share these during conversations.
Rehearse the conversation by role-playing the fee increase discussion with a colleague or friend, practicing how to address common client concerns while maintaining a confident tone.
Invite feedback by developing a list of open-ended questions to encourage client dialogue during fee increase discussions, and be prepared to listen and address any concerns they may have.
Monitor client reactions after the fee increase by following up with clients to gauge their satisfaction and address any lingering concerns, which helps reinforce trust and loyalty.


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