Learning to say no is an ongoing concerted effort for me. I'm completely non-confrontational. But I've been working on getting better at being bold and firm. I have to remind myself that it's not only better for me (and my time management, my goals, and my mental well being) but that it also better for the person asking something of me. If I'm not excited about it, or if I don't feel like I'm the best for the job, it's better for me to send them on to someone who will be excited and ready for whatever they are asking. Here's my top 15 (mostly moderately classy) ways to say NO...
1. Unfortunately I am unavailable at that time.
2. I've got a lot on my plate, and I wouldn't want to give you any less than my best.
3. We could do that. Or… we could get ice cream instead.
4. Your excessive use of exclamation points in your email frightens me.
5. I can't talk about this until after I've had two cups of coffee.
6. I'll have my people call your people.
7. For the low, low price of one billion dollars… maybe.
8. I no longer work for free- the electricity company has a pesky habit of demanding to get paid monthly.
9. I no longer take on projects that cause my soul to wither up and die.
10. That's not really my thing.
11. My assistant handles my project management. What do you mean I don't have an assistant?
12. You should talk to *insert talented other person*, I'll hook you guys up.
13. Thanks for asking but no.
14. I can't believe you asked me that, no.
15. No.
xo
xo
Haha, this great! I like option 8 ;)
ReplyDeleteI love number 8 too- no more "for your portfolio" work thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE number 8!
ReplyDelete"In order of us to work together, your IQ must be larger than that of a doorknob. That being said, you should contact (insert competitions name here), They will be able to assist you further."
ReplyDeleteI like # 7 "For the low, low price of one billion dollars… maybe." # 8 is good too, well, they all are, but I will definitely use #7.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite is number 3. It seems like a good solution for all things you want to say no to.
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeleteI think the truth can always be used in a classy way. But we're kind of mixing metaphors in this discussion. The article starts out with "If I'm not excited about it, or if I don't feel like I'm the best for the job, it's better for me to send them on to someone who will be excited and ready for whatever they are asking." A response like #8, and many of the others, is not a response to that condition - it's a response to perhaps having been taken advantage of by that client in the past.
ReplyDeleteIn the case we're looking at, probably something like #2 or #12, or, sadly, #9, are sometimes the best responses to give. If the outline of a project just doesn't sound like you, don't take it on just because it's there. If you're desperate for work, that's a different thing; as freelancers we have to be able to contort ourselves a bit. But if it's truly out of character for you, it might be too much of a reach, and may do more harm than good.
I need to utilize #15 much more frequently.
ReplyDeleteWe joke but its such a big problem. I work from home and clients will just assume that means I will happily work 24/7. My current client was horrified that I would expect any sort of penalty rates for working weekends or public holidays. Of course this discussion came on Labor Day but she didnt see the relevance.
ReplyDeleteI like 1 and 8 but I use 15 a lot..lol
ReplyDeleteI like number 8 "NO". We all freelancers have to get paid when clients take up they time and donea projects. Elecdtricity compamies, Heating oil companies, gas companies and other all want to get pay.
ReplyDeleteI also have used: "I can't do it for that price. I suggest calling the employment person at (local art school) who'll connect you will a willing student." This way, I've declined the assignment, but I've shown my willingness to unselfishly help the client solve his problem. Also, if the student does an unsatisfactory job, the client may realize that paying for my experience is worth giving me the job after all. (This has happened several times.)
ReplyDeleteI like Number 8 "NO". Every company as a electricity company need to get pay. All freelances had done a job for they clients have to get pay for they services.
ReplyDeleteAside from 1, 2 and maybe 12, I find the other responses as very unprofessional. Maybe rethink the message you're sending here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are kidding about most of these. I think that most of them are not professional responses and it would be bad business to really say them to customers. You know word of mouth business references are the best and as a small business owner you cannot afford to make remarks that may lose business because it makes you feel better to be flipped to an irritating customer .
ReplyDeleteI am a master calligrapher, typeface designer, brander, graphic designer, photographer, sculptor.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best pieces of advice ive ever received is ' you never ever bargain on a luxury item'. The client can either afford your fee or not.
Clients equate cost with value.
An illustrative story:
Dr X. had a thriving practice, but was nearing retirement age. He had no desire to end his practice, yet he wanted to have more free time. Not wanting to diminish his income, he chose to work half his regular hours, but charge twice his regular fee. Result: his patient load doubled!!
Ted Kadin
Brooklyn, NY
Another option.
ReplyDelete"I should say that I am grateful for your offer but if you look again at the details, you like me will see no reason for gratitude on my part"
Perfect. Every one, just perfect. Thank you!
ReplyDeletelove the article and the responses. Although it seems like 15 should be effective, sometimes it just doesn't rely the entire message-like #9 or when you are tired of people reminding you how they undervalue your work, like #8.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a good chuckle and a reminder to practice the kind and true NO. Though I wouldn't say it to a client, I'm trying to pay much more attention to #9!
ReplyDeleteJeez if I stuck by #9 I'd be unemployed...
ReplyDeleteYour #8 made me chuckle. I've had to turn down the request to work for free too many times lately. Yesterday, I said no to a client with this truth, "Thank you for your generous offer to pay for my consultation services, but I've decided to decline your offer." Then, I gave the person some other options to solve her problem that did not involve us working together. She wanted to pay me for two hours of consulation services but needed way, way more help (for which I knew I would not be paid). I could see a disaster approaching. I use this line too: "I'm just not comfortable with that." Then, I shut my mouth and hope they don't ask why.
ReplyDeleteTo the two anonymous commenters who said these are unprofessional. This post is obviously tongue in cheek. I'm not so stupid as to actually say most of these to a client. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI had to say no and politely even though some who I replied to wouldn't have been polite toward me. Its a personal balance.
ReplyDelete