Question for the providers on this board: when do you announce that you're raising your rates, and how?

When my ATF raised her rates earlier this year, she just quietly updated her ad pages and grandfathered her regulars under the old rates.  If your rate increases are meant to be for all clients, it would be good to include some extra warning via socials for that!

The obvious answer is that you simply update your website and ads. Poof. Done. Easy peasy.  Personally, I'd grandfather anyone who's seen me in the last year without even mentioning it, but that's a judgement call for you to make.
 
Is there some nuance you could provide for why that's not comfortable for you?

In my experience, rate increases work best when they’re treated as a quiet operational update, not an announcement.

 
I don’t usually post about it on the boards or on social media. I update my site and ads, and I give *consistent* regulars a heads-up privately if they’re actively seeing me. New clients just see the current rate and move forward from there.

 
If anything, the most I’ll do publicly is add a simple line above the rate section on my website that says, “Rates will increase on X date. I don’t follow the practice of grandfathering." The reason, I include that line is so that people who've only seen me once, 18 months earlier don't assume they've earned the privilege of maintaining old rate. If someone is truly "grandfathered", they'll receive an email or text from me. That keeps things clear without turning pricing into a discussion.

 
There’s also a psychological reason to avoid public rate announcements. Explaining or justifying a price increase subtly reframes the rate as negotiable or up for debate. Public rate-raise posts also tend to activate comparison, resentment, or bargaining in people who were never going to book anyway. It creates friction instead of clarity. When I do say anything publicly, it’s neutral and brief. “Rates updated as of X date,” without explanation or apology.

 
Timing matters more than messaging. Rate increases land more smoothly when they follow a visible shift like higher demand, fuller calendars, or changes in how time is structured. Clients usually feel that even if it isn’t spelled out.

 
The ones who value you adjust. The ones who don’t fall off quietly. That’s just part of running a sustainable business.

I would tell my established friends personally & publicly post the updated & TER profile.

Do you darling. Happy Holidays! ❤️

I get that you cant see the same guy for 20 years for the same price...

But when my gals abruptly raise the rates higher than other gals...i tend to look elsewhere. Been there, done that is the mind set.

since your rates are already 2K / hr   how much higher were you planning.   congratulations if you have enough clients at that rate ...impressive.  

Idk has anyone discovered any higher?

People charge what they charge.  If that’s too much for you, just move on. It’s not even a worthy discussion.  

You just won the Didn't Read The Post Award🥇  

Congrats

We would change the prices everywhere they are listed. For regular clients will leave all the same, but the new clients will be served with a new price. But to be fair we will do the same even if prices lowers (that happens too )

I wish I could give you an award for your words here.  

What I understand you to be saying: treating a rate increase as a quiet operational update is the difference between a command and a request.  

I suppose that in this work, an apology is just an invitation to haggle.  

(When I surrender power, I like to be intentional about it, so I *especially* appreciate you tempering my instinct to preface, explain, apologize).

I'm not following how you see announcing rate increases is an invitation to haggle.

If the $14 burger I usually get is now $18 (over four years), I order the wrap instead or just don't go there anymore (true story).

I don't go to the owner and say "I'm a loyal customer, can't you sell it to me for $14?" Even he would tell me to order something else or take your business elsewhere. He may also apologize and make excuses and blame Joe Biden or whatever. lol

Maybe this is an occurrence that is common in the P2P universe? Maybe your personal experience?

If you're one of "these" guys, then no, you wouldn't even think to haggle about price (or any other policy/menu item)... and that's greatly appreciated.😇 Sadly, there are enough of "those" guys who see pretty much any boundary as negotiable (and have the arrogance to think boundaries shouldn't apply to them), especially when they are dealing with a lady who enjoys the more submissive side of the spectrum. It's gross, bullying behavior, really.

I hear that lol

The type of dude that goes into a Chipotle and asks for a "little more meat" and doesn't expect to pay the upcharge because he's special.

also, i learned in my business courses that negotiation implies that both sides want something from one another of great value

a popular provider probably doesn't need or want that pushy client that thinks they deserve a "discount" for no other reason other than they don't want to pay more, so negotiation doesn't make any sense and is a waste of time

"These" guys also understand the difference between 'inquiring with intent to collaborate' and 'negotiating'/bullying. Recent example: A guy wasn't comfortable with my standard employment screening so he 'inquired with intent to collaborate'. He offered 2 yrs of W2 (all redacted except his name, employer name and gross wages [proves full time employment]). Cool, that proves what I need to set my mind at ease!  
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When "those" guys don't want to go through screening, they call it 'negotiating' but there's no intent to collaborate or solution offered beyond "trust me, bro"... usually followed by insults after I say NO.

Just what I have heard, providers tend to be more open to negotiating if it’s for a longer period of time. For an hour or two, it’s a hard gtfo. But if it’s an overnight or multi day adventure, especially if there are other things involved like a nice restaurant, show, or what not, then there may be more openness to working something out since it’s a big payday experience.

Most ladies structure their rates to incentivize the duration they prefer. I don't think I've ever seen a lady who's hourly rate remains unchanged regardless of the number of hours one books. Some have steep drop-offs at the overnight mark, or the full day or weekend mark. Some have variations on bulk/frequent purchase discounts. I think the closest to a blanket statement might be along the lines of "people tend to be more flexible when dealing with people they like and trust, and when working collaboratively for a mutual benefit".😉

Personally, I'm not cutting anyone a deal if they want take me shopping for designer stuff and sit in a beautiful restaurant eating caviar and foie gras (three things I *hate*). I'll accept the date and be appropriately appreciative, sure, but that's it.  But if we've hung out a few times and we get along pretty damn well, and you just so happen to have/charter a decent 38-46' sailboat and want to cruise around some islands, I'll be pretty damn flexible (and naked 98% of the time).

what about a business card and a screenshot of an email you sent to his business email?

(i am curious because i have considered suggesting this to the providers that want work verification as svreening)

I can get a business card saying I'm the president of the US, so nope. And if I can email your work address from "[email protected]" or whatever, then you can respond to me from your work address.

As a client, I don't need an announcement. I just read and decide if I can still afford it. Announcements might be nice, but not necessary.