How to price your retreat

Event Systems
Written By Meghan Bursiek (she/her)

If you're thinking about hosting a retreat, figuring out your retreat pricing is a crucial step.

So far, the easiest way I've found to configure pricing:

Step 1: Identify the retreat non-negotiables

Step 2: Identify the retreat negotiables

Step 3: Identify facilitator fee

Step 4: Adjust accordingly

"But Meghan! What in the h are you talking about? Retreat non-negoti-wha?"
 

Step 1: Non-Negotiables

The retreat non-negotiables are the costs & fees of your retreat that are required.

These costs are the just-the-way-things-are type of fees.

Things like: 

  • Registration costs, like credit card processing fees

  • Lodging & food expenses

  • Retreat necessities: yoga prop rentals or art supplies

Retreat non-negotiable costs are going to vary retreat to retreat & facilitator to facilitator.

Maybe your students eat only organic foods.

Maybe your classes require all the props x 2.
 

Step 2: Negotiables

These costs are the expenses that can be adjusted, depending on your desired final price point.

Retreat negotiables can be:

  • Retreat Producer (that's me!) vs DIY (that's you!)

  • Marketing Strategy: full page fliers or Retreat Info Session snacks

  • Retreat decor: fresh flowers & candles

  • Participant gifts (who doesn't like gifts?)

When you identify your retreat negotiables, you identify how much flexibility there is in the budget.

For example:

You order customized & branded participant gifts.
-OR-
You create handwritten notes.

 

Step 3: Facilitator Fee

Your facilitator fee is mostly about identifying your personal "hidden costs."

These are the costs you incur by not staying home.

Common hidden costs:

  • Missed classes &/or clients

  • House/pet/kid/garden sitter

  • Travel costs

  • Credit card fees (hello, retreat center deposit!)

Once you figure out your hidden costs, then you think about your actual retreat teaching/facilitation fee.

This is a very personal decision.

But if you feel like you're not charging enough:

You should probably charge more.

This is because, you Dear Teacher, are a wonderful facilitator. You have an amazing gift & incredible wisdom to share.
 

Step 4: Adjust

Now you have 3 different parts of your retreat pricing:

  • Non-Negotiables

  • Negotiables

  • Facilitator Fee

This is the fun part! (Maybe just for me?)

Identify the minimum participants needed & play with the numbers.

Work them (& rework them) until you find the retreat pricing that feels just right.

Then add 10%, because unexpected expenses will def show up.

Meghan Bursiek (she/her)

Meghan is a Ritual Witch & Experience Creator. Intentional systems & containers are her magic. She supports people & organizations with integrating ritual into life, work, & personal practice without it becoming just another thing on the to-do list. Depending on the Moon phase, Meghan sends a ritual email like you just read. Subscribe to receive Witchy Wednesdays: your ritual email (& thank you!)

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