John Osher's first business succeeded by selling 19-cent earrings for $4.99, establishing high perceived value. A competitor sold the same item for 39 cents and failed. This shows that pricing should reflect what the market will bear, not just your cost of goods.

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Petrie argues that creating value for the customer is independent of the price point. A customer must perceive value whether an item is $20 or $1000. He distinguishes between a cheap, transactional item and a more expensive, investment-worthy product that lasts.

Customers don't care about your P&L or that a competitor is a "side hustle." To justify a higher price, you must clearly communicate tangible benefits like better organization, time savings, or superior staff, which directly improve their experience.

Consumers find prices more appealing when broken down into smaller increments, like a daily cost versus an annual fee. This 'pennies-a-day effect' can make the same price seem like a much better value because people struggle to abstract small, concrete costs into a larger total.

A low price can signal a low-quality or immature product, repelling enterprise or mid-market customers. Raising prices can make your product appear more robust and suitable for their needs, thus increasing demand from a more desirable—and previously inaccessible—market segment.

Don't let your personal perception of what's 'expensive' limit your earning potential. Set your price high based on the value you provide. It is easy to lower a price that gets no buyers, but impossible to know if you could have charged more if you start too low. Never say no for the customer.

When a new KFC premium product wasn't selling, they doubled the price instead of discounting it. This aligned the price with consumer expectations for a premium item, signaling quality and causing sales to soar. Low prices can imply low quality for high-end goods.

A cited 2016 study from "Monetizing Innovation" reveals a critical flaw in corporate strategy: 80% of companies determine pricing based on internal costs or competitor analysis, rather than investing in research to understand the actual value delivered to customers.

Effective pricing is not just a number; it is a value story. The ultimate test is whether a customer can accurately pitch your product's pricing and value proposition to someone else. This reframes pricing from a simple number to a compelling narrative.

Kroc convinced a partner to price a new milkshake at 12 cents instead of a simple dime. He correctly argued the slightly higher, less convenient price point would signal to customers that the product was special and worth more, differentiating it from ordinary drinks on the market.

Ben Horowitz advised that pricing is the most critical decision for a company's valuation because it is the primary lever impacting both growth and margins. Founders often treat it glibly, but it deserves deep strategic thought as it underpins the entire business.

Price Products Based on Perceived Value, Not Cost, to Maximize Margins | RiffOn