Why January is the perfect time to raise your rates

Hey friend,

Every December, I have the same conversation with at least five creatives.

They're exhausted. They worked their asses off all year. They delivered incredible results for their clients. And yet somehow, they're still barely breaking even.

When I ask what they're charging, the number is always too low. And when I tell them they need to raise their rates, they always say the same thing:

"I know. I will. Maybe in the spring when things pick up."

Here's the truth: There's never going to be a perfect time to raise your rates. But if you're going to do it, January is as close to perfect as it gets.

Here's why January is the best time to increase your pricing:

Your clients expect change at the new year. New budgets get approved. New projects get greenlit. New contracts get signed. People are mentally prepared for things to shift in January, which means they're less likely to pushback when you announce a rate increase.

You're starting fresh. If you've been undercharging all year, you don't have to keep carrying that into 2026. January is a clean slate. New year, new rates, new positioning. It's the easiest time to draw a line and say "this is what I charge now."

You can grandfather existing clients (if you want). One of the biggest fears creatives have about raising rates is losing current clients. But here's the thing: you don't have to raise rates on everyone immediately. You can tell existing clients, "My rates are increasing in January, but you're locked in at your current rate through [date]." That gives them notice while protecting your ongoing relationships.

You set the tone for the entire year. If you start charging premium rates in January, you attract premium clients from day one. If you start January still undercharging, you're setting yourself up for another year of budget clients who don't value your work.

So how much should you raise your rates?

If you haven't raised rates in over a year, go up at least 20-30%. If you're still charging what you charged three years ago, double it. I'm serious.

Most creatives undercharge by at least 40%, so even after you raise your rates, you're probably still leaving money on the table. But you have to start somewhere.

And here's what's wild: most of the time, your clients won't even blink. The ones who do pushback are usually the ones who were never going to value you properly anyway.

Here's your action step:

Before December 31st, decide on your new 2026 rates. Write them down. Commit to them. Then send an email to your clients (or post on your website, or update your proposals) with your new pricing effective January 1, 2026.

You don't need to over-explain. You don't need to apologize. Just state it clearly and confidently. Here’s some copy for you:

"Starting January 1st, 2026, my rates are increasing to reflect the value I deliver and the expertise I bring. Current clients will be grandfathered at existing rates through [March 31st]. New clients will be onboarded at the new rate."

That's it. Simple. Clear. Professional.

And if you're scared? Good. That means you're finally charging what you're worth.

Here's to getting clear and getting paid.

I believe in you.

Jen
Premium Business Strategist for Creative Entrepreneurs
Speaker at Cre8tive Con 2026 | Chicago
Author of 4-time award-winning “The Creative Code: A Creative Professional’s Way to Happiness, Wealth and Joy"

P.S. Are you still doing vision boards the old way? Cutting pictures from Cosmopolitan and Women's Day that don't even look like you or what you really want, using glue sticks and scissors like it's arts and crafts hour?

If you want to start 2026 off strong come hang out with us - Jenna Graziani and I are hosting “How to Create A Vision Board That Really Works” on Monday, December 30th at 1pm PT / 4pm ET.

This isn't that. We're teaching the proven framework from Kisma, my Prosperity Code Mentor at Illumination Academy, for creating a digital vision board that aligns your energy, purpose, and subconscious mind so your goals actually manifest.

I've used this exact process to manifest Cre8tive Con, my TEDx talk, the best relationship everand international travel to 6 countries in one summer. It works.