There’s no easier way to increase income than to raise your rates.

And there’s no easier way to announce a rate increase than in a letter.

Charging higher fees was one of five strategies I discussed last week in my presentation in Las Vegas on how to double your income by the end of the year.

The most effective rate hike letters update clients and prospects about recent accomplishments and upcoming developments. The new pricing information appears at the end.

Use the prototype below as your model:

Dear    ,

We want you to know how much we appreciate your business, and how excited we are about working with you in the year ahead.

We feel that you will benefit in many ways from a number of changes we are making at XYZ Interiors.

For one thing, we’re adding a design assistant and an administrative manager to our staff as a way to process and fulfill orders more efficiently.

In addition, we’ll specialize in the coming year in serving residential clients in North Scottsdale, Carefree and Paradise Valley. Over the years we’ve worked with homeowners from Boston to Beverly Hills, but our goal now is to focus our efforts on local high end communities.

To maximize our local service, we’ll align with the architects and home builders who are developing the Valley’s most exclusive homes.

We intend to expand our international shopping program to help our customers stay up to date on the world’s most significant design trends and products.

Meanwhile, we’re assembling a team of subcontractors that will enable us to become a “one stop shop” for our clients. That team includes some of the area’s foremost lighting design specialists, artisans, installers and other home services providers.

Your input – on our plans and on our service – is vital to us. Accordingly, we’re planning a variety of activities to get your feedback.

These are some of the changes planned for the months ahead. Our mission is to serve you in new and better ways.

Effective November 1, the investment in our design service will be $400 per hour.

Thanks again for your business. It is a privilege to serve you.

Sincerely,