If you’re wondering how much to charge for facilitating a workshop, let me tell you it is a difficult decision to make. Maybe difficult is not the answer so much as complex. I sort of fell into becoming a training consultant after the nonprofit where I worked was dissolved. I was the training manager there for almost ten years, and I absolutely loved the work. After the nonprofit went away, people in Kansas City began to ask me to facilitate trainings for their staff as a consultant. I was thrilled to make that transition!
But I will tell you, I had no clue what to charge in those early days. I was practically giving away my talent.
Let’s be frank: Everyone can NOT train. I do believe everyone can present information. However, that is not the same as training.
Training people is a different set of skills that involves managing group dynamics, instructional design, and being able to work in tandem with a large group of people while meeting everyone’s needs.
My Mistake: I gave my training skills away.
Here are three ways I did this…
Because I didn’t understand how valuable I was with this skill and, to some degree, this gift, I allowed myself to be overly benevolent.
The first clue that I was undercharging for my service was the very fact that I started my consulting business. People valued me to the point of requesting my facilitation service apart from the brand from which they associated me. That’s key number one that you should charge amply for your service.
Secondly, the post-training evaluations I received after my training sessions indicated how much I should charge. These were usually level one replies, but I seasoned learning assessment questions throughout it.
The feedback I received from my clients and those evaluations were overwhelmingly positive! That let me know I was reaching learning objectives and I was good at it.
Finally, the third indication that I needed to charge appropriately for my services what’s the feedback I received from friends. In the early days, those friends represented human resources professionals, managers, and CEOs.
“Why do you charge so little?” one good friend of mine asked. I had just trained individuals and her medical practice. She was shocked at the results I delivered and challenged me accordingly.
More common ways to decide how much to charge for facilitating a workshop
If you do not have the benefit of the above, here is what you can consider:
Research Market Rates: Research what other professionals with similar expertise and offerings are charging in your industry and region. This will give you a better understanding of the competitive landscape and help you set prices that reflect the value you provide.
Calculate Costs: Hey, you need to determine all the costs associated with providing your services, including your time, overhead, materials, and other expenses. Make sure your pricing covers these costs and leaves room for profit. Remember, you must value yourself – that includes your time.
Value-Based Pricing: Focus on the value you deliver to clients. Consider the benefits they’ll gain from your services, such as increased efficiency, stronger teams, improved outcomes, or time saved. Price your services based on this value rather than only your time or effort.
Position Yourself as an Expert: Showcase your expertise, experience, and unique skills to demonstrate why your services are worth a premium. Clients are often willing to pay more for specialized knowledge and proven results. I do so by sharing post-training feedback. I also use my blog here to show I know what I’m talking about. Think about it: how can you position yourself as an expert?
Avoid Undercutting Your Fee: While it’s essential to be competitive, avoid drastically undercutting your prices to win clients. This can devalue your services and create a perception that you lack quality. Look: think about the difference between buying a shirt from Nordstrom and one from Walmart. They are both shirts, but ONE will be considered cheap. Which one do you think it is?
Don’t be the Walmart of trainers.
Over a Learning and Development Package: Instead of charging for individual services, consider bundling your services into packages. This can help clients see the holistic value you provide and make it easier for them to choose higher-priced options. After team building, provide help with meeting planning, follow-up activities, and creating professional development plans.
Communicate Value: Clearly- and I mean succinctly – communicate the benefits and outcomes clients can expect from working with you. Provide case studies, testimonials, and examples of past successes to reinforce your value.
Set Minimums: Establish a minimum fee or project size to adequately compensate for even smaller projects. This prevents you from doing low-paying work that can affect your overall earnings. For instance, I have a minimum block of time associated with my fee.
Regularly Review Pricing: As your experience and reputation grow, don’t hesitate to periodically raise your prices to reflect your increased value. Inform existing clients of upcoming price adjustments. Just be sure to give them sufficient notice.
Remember that pricing isn’t solely about earning money; it’s about recognizing the worth of your skills and the value you bring to your clients. I think it is also about the perspective of your value.
By setting fair prices that reflect this value, you’ll avoid undervaluing your services and create a foundation for long-term success. You can get an idea of what you might charge here on Indeed.com.
Now, let’s break it down a bit more to help you decide how much to charge for facilitating a workshop:
The fee for facilitating a workshop can vary widely based on factors such as the workshop’s duration, how far I have to travel, the content’s complexity, my level of expertise on the topic, the target audience, and their “issues.” You know what I mean. 🙂
- Hourly Rate: If you’re charging an hourly rate, it might range from $50 to $300 per hour, depending on your experience and the workshop’s complexity. This could even change depending on what the clients want you to do. This sounds awful, but I charge for eating lunch with clients. Why? Because during that supposedly “downtime,” I am getting hammered with questions. My energy is also depleted during the exchange. This means I have to do energizers for both of them and me! When I explain this to my clients before I come, I am usually given the morning to facilitate training or the afternoon. If the training is an all-day session, I will leave for that hour and come back. Doing so also gives me the emotional distance I need as a facilitator.
- Half-Day Workshop: For a half-day workshop (around 4 hours), fees could range from $300 to $1,500 or more. My half-day fee is $1600.00. Remember, I’m charging for my time, energy, and expertise.
- Full-Day Workshop: For a full-day workshop (around 6-8 hours), fees might range from $500 to $3,000 or more. My price for 8 hours is $2600. I am not as young as I was when I started doing this. Full-day workshops deplete me, and if I travel, the prices increase.
- Multi-Day Workshops or Intensive Programs: If your workshop spans multiple days or is part of a more extensive program, fees can go higher, potentially ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 or beyond. I am an occasional consultant now, focusing more on instructional design and creating trainings for others. But back in the day, multi-day workshops or three-day intensive workshops ran close to $1400.
My Conclusion for how much you should charge as a training facilitator
Establishing the correct rate in the world of training facilitation is a make-or-break decision that separates amateurs from true professionals.
Are you aware of the impact your expertise can have? The value you bring to your clients and their organizations deserves to be recognized and appropriately compensated – especially if you are a woman.
Don’t fall into the trap of underselling yourself. Trust me, only you lose in the end.
Take a stand, do your market research, calculate your costs, and make sure your rates reflect the unique advantages you offer. Show the world that you’re not just another run-of-the-mill facilitator but a powerhouse of knowledge and transformation.
Your rates are your statement of worth, so set them high and demand the respect and compensation you deserve. Please don’t settle for mediocrity; strive for excellence and let your work speak for itself.
Thanks for reading my thoughts on how much to charge for facilitating a workshop. I hope it was helpful.