Before I close out your file, I thought I’d send over one last email. I’m sure you can appreciate my curiosity as to where things stand. I’d welcome your candor.
2. Someone you don’t know sends you an invite to connect on LinkedIn.
I didn’t see a note attached to your invite, so I’m not sure why you’d like to connect. Is there something I can do for you?
3. You’re asked to speak at a conference, but they don’t want to compensate you.
While I’d love to speak and am happy to waive my fee, I’d need you to cover transportation and lodging. Otherwise, I’d be shelling out a significant amount of money to do what I typically get paid for. Again, happy to do it at cost, but I can’t lose money. Thanks for understanding.
4. You’re asked to write something, and are offered exposure for your brand rather than money.
I’d love to help you, but I can’t work for free.
5. After you speak with a prospect, he says, “Let’s reconnect in a couple weeks.”
I look forward to reconnecting. Unless I’m mistaken (and please do correct me if I am), I believe the ball is now in your court, so I’ll look to hear from you whenever the time is right.
6. A prospect says you’re too expensive.
I wish I could lower my price, but this is the market rate for someone with my experience. I wish you luck finding someone within your budget.
7. A prospect says he has additional projects for you, and so wants a discount for the first one.
I’m happy to discuss bulk discounts once we finish the first project.
8. A prospect wants you to lower your price.
Use one of these one liners.
Shift the conversation away from price to value.
9. Someone you know hasn’t replied to your email, text, direct message, etc.
It’s not like you to not reply. Everything ok?
10. I’ll call at around 10 or so.
I have a tight schedule today; can we speak at 11 rather than around 10?
11. Someone sends you a private message on Slack, but you’d prefer to respond publicly.
Would you mind asking me this publicly?
11. What’s your hourly rate?
My fees are value-based — which means you’re paying for the value and ROI of the finished product, not the time I spend producing it.
(Credit to Kaleigh Moore for this one.)
12. When you’re introduced to someone via email, but it’s unclear why.
I’m sorry to be abrupt, but I’ve found that making the purpose of a call explicit beforehand is helpful for everyone. Can you clarify?
13. When a prospect sends you a Facebook friend request instead of replying your Facebook message.
I see you sent me a friend request. I try to limit my Facebook friends to people I know.
14. Can you share a rate sheet?
My fees aren’t fixed. Instead, I charge based on the given individual’s materials and needs. For example, a recent grad who needs a one-page résumé is different from a C.E.O. who needs executive positioning.
My fees aren’t fixed. Instead, I charge based on the given individual’s materials and needs. For example, a recent grad who needs a one-page résumé is different from a C.E.O. who needs executive positioning.
That said, what I can tell you is that, given my experience, I’m expensive. I can also say that buying multiple services as a package is cheaper than buying them a la carte.
