Why is it so difficult to put a price tag on your attendance at an event?

I remember a while ago, I got an email from a school in northern Pakistan asking for a skype visit.

There was no mention of money, so I assumed, quite correctly that this school expected me to just do this for free.

I get it, I really do.

Schools are strapped for funds and trying to encourage their students to read and this is precisely why I created my YouTube channel.

I sometimes even wonder if I put TOO much content on it. Maybe some schools will see the videos I’ve uploaded and wonder well, why bother inviting her then.

And that’s okay.

What I did with this Pakistani school who wasn’t prepared to pay for a skype presentation was I directed them to the free content.

Nothing wrong with that.

The reason I put up all that free content is, quite honestly, to tease.

Basically the person looking at it should tell themselves, “Hey, if she’s giving this for free…imagine what she’ll do in person!”

And also there’s something remarkable about students meeting an author whose work they’ve admired.

That personal touch…there’s nothing like it.

But alhamdu lillah I’ve gotten to the point where I can ask for my price, knowing that if I get that price I’ll be happy to do the gig.

I wonder if that doesn’t mean I’ve attained a certain maturity.

Who knows?

I’m in my 50’s so I guess it’s about time.

The whole point of this post is that you need to learn to ask for your price, without feeling guilty, knowing that what’s you’re providing is worth it.

It helps that I know I would pay my price if the shoe were on the other foot.