How to Structure a $5,000 VIP Day: Step-by-Step Guide for Freelance Strategists
Structuring VIP Days that Sell: Secrets for Strategic Service Providers
Freelancers and digital strategists are always looking for smarter ways to serve clients, raise their rates, and avoid burnout from endless “done-for-you” work. If you’ve ever imagined charging $5,000 (or more) for just one day of high-impact strategy, this episode could be your guide.
This week, I’m sharing how I transformed my freelance business by creating profitable VIP Days that highlight my strategic thinking—no more endless to-do lists. Just four focused hours working closely with clients and earning serious income. I’ll walk you through my “Four P” framework so you can start offering premium VIP Days of your own.
What is a VIP Day (and What Isn’t)?
Before diving into the framework, it’s crucial to define what a VIP day means for strategists. Unlike design or build-out days, where the expert quietly works behind the scenes, a strategist’s VIP day is deeply collaborative. Expect to be live, face-to-face (virtually or in person) with your client, actively talking, mapping, and co-creating a plan. Clients are paying for your expertise— especially your brain, not your ability to tick boxes on their behalf.
The Four P Framework for a $5K VIP Day
1. Promise: Define a Clear, Attainable Outcome
The #1 reason clients feel underwhelmed? Unclear expectations. I emphasize that your offer should come with a crystal-clear promise, a concrete result your client can walk away with at the end of four hours.
For example:
- “You’ll leave with a full paid marketing strategy for your next launch, mapped and ready to execute.”
Make sure your promise is achievable within your timeframe. Vague or over-ambitious outcomes will cause stress and disappointment for both sides. Start with something tightly scoped—mapping an ad strategy, creating a launch plan, brainstorming funnels—and articulate exactly what’s included (and what isn’t).
2. Prep: Set Boundaries & Gather Essential Info
High-value strategy sessions require prep on both sides. I require my clients to fill out a detailed onboarding questionnaire ahead of our session. This allows me to come informed, ready to dive straight into strategy.
Pro tip: Incorporate contract language and automated reminders to ensure your clients complete their prep work. If forms aren’t completed beforehand, I set the expectation that time spent on the call filling out basics will cut into our value-packed VIP agenda. This establishes boundaries and ensures you can deliver your promised result.
Additionally, I recommend asking, “What would make your VIP day a success?” in your prep form. This not only primes clients for a great testimonial but lets you redirect expectations if what they want isn’t realistic for one session.
3. Provide: Deliver a Structured, Value-Driven Experience
Your VIP day should feel organized and purposefu, not like a frantic scramble. I split my four-hour sessions into two halves:
- First two hours: Clarity, audit, strategy. You’ll map out goals, review assets and numbers, and chart a high-level plan together.
- Break: A short reset to re-energize.
- Final two hours: Implementation and tactical mapping. Using frameworks like my “Strategy Octagon”, you’ll co-create the plan and outline actionable next steps.
The goal is to deliver tangible progress and a sense of partnership, not just a theoretical “plan.”
4. Propel: Guide the Client to Next Steps
Don’t just stop at the plan! The last pillar is about moving the client forward, either by handing off their plan or upselling them into ongoing support or implementation (such as a done-for-you retainer).
It’s important to note that many clients will choose to hire you for the execution phase, turning your VIP day into a launchpad for additional revenue streams.
Ready to Offer Your Own VIP Day?
Consider your skills, niche, and client base. Begin by defining an outcome you can confidently deliver in four hours. Build an onboarding process that sets both parties up for success. Structure your day for clarity and results.
As you refine your approach, you’ll master the art of selling and delivering transformative, high-ticket VIP days that empower both your clients and your business. If you’re looking for more resources and guidance, check out the Strategist Society for templates, contracts, and live training on installing VIP days into your business.
The era of being “just the implementer” is over. Step into your strategic power and get paid for it.
Here’s A Glance Of The Episode:
00:00 Transitioning to Strategic Marketing Success
04:52 Have a Successful Day: The Four P’s
08:04 Client Prep and Safeguards
10:12 Funnel Strategy and Implementation
14:09 Join Our Strategist Society Workshop
Key Takeaways:
- The Four P Framework: The structuring of a successful VIP day revolves around four key Ps—Promise, Prep, Provide, and Propel.
- Define a Clear Promise: The success of a VIP day starts with a clear, outcome-specific promise that the client will get by the end (e.g., a paid marketing plan ready for their next launch).
- Thorough Preparation Is Critical: Ensure you and your client are both prepped before the VIP day. This includes onboarding questionnaires and clear expectations in your contract.
- Set Strong Client Expectations: Clearly outline what the day will entail and what’s needed from the client. Doing this can prevent both disappointment and scope creep.
- Client Interaction Is Key: Unlike some “behind the scenes” VIP days, strategist VIP days are highly interactive and collaborative with the client present the whole time.
- Propel Clients to Their Next Step: At the end of the VIP day, provide a clear plan and next steps, which often leads to additional consulting or implementation work (more revenue for you).
- Leverage VIP Days as an Upsell or Lead-In: Many clients will want to hire you for ongoing or done-for-you services after experiencing the value of your VIP day—making this not just a stand-alone offer but a business growth strategy.
and so much more.
Loved This Episode? Check Out More Here. ⬇️
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT VIP DAYS VS. INTENSIVES: HOW TO KNOW WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Additional Resources
Ready to start offering high-converting VIP Days in your business? Apply now HERE to join our exclusive mentorship and get access to the live workshop, templates, and tools to start selling and delivering your VIP Day with confidence!
** This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you use one of the links to purchase. This helps keep the podcast going and I only share products I have used, tested and love.”
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Meet Brandi
Brandi Mowles is the host of the Serve Scale Soar® podcast which is a podcast dedicated to helping service-based entrepreneurs scale their online business to five-figure months so they can soar into six-figure years. Brandi is a wife, mom and in less than one year, created a six-figure business. Now she is spilling all her secrets so you can too.