13 Feb 6 Times When You Should Say No to Clients
As a business owner, it can feel impossible to say no. If customers are slim or you have extra time, why would you ever turn down the income? More money is more money, right? Unfortunately, more money is not more fulfillment (and that’s why we started our businesses, right?!). In every situation, you should weigh the pros and cons of a sale. Here are 6 times when you should say “no” to your clients to maintain an all-around better business.
Are you spending more time than you would like trying to figure out how to turn down clients politely? Get our Copy & Paste: Email Scrips for Saying No. Specific to the wedding & events industry, these scripts cover all the common requests overwhelming your inbox and taking you away from your passion.
1. It’s Not Ethical (or Legal)
An intentional business is an ethical one. As business owners and leaders, our work should improve people’s lives and maintain a higher standard, not cut ethical corners. A prime example encountered by many small businesses is the use of copyrighted photos. Using copyrighted images can put you in hot water with the copyright holder and lead to legal issues. It’s highly unethical to benefit from someone else’s work or use it without their permission. If a customer asks you to, you need to say no. Many excellent royalty-free photo sites provide professional photo content free of charge or for a small licensing fee. Our team at Path & Compass and our clients, often utilize free stock photos from sites like Pexels, Pixabay, and Unsplash.
If you ever have a client ask for something that could be in a legal gray area, seek advice from a trusted professional. The income you gain from one client isn’t worth a lawsuit that could have long-lasting effects on both your finances and your reputation.
2. It Stretches Your Team Thin
More money isn’t worth it if the work you are producing subpar products or services. As a reputable and reliable business, you should only put out the best work and/or product possible. If you know that additional work would stretch your team thin, it’s time to put boundaries in place and say no. It’s important that you as a business owner check in with your team regularly, especially if you are considering taking on additional work. Your view of what is doable may largely vary from theirs. Take the opinions of the people who work alongside you into consideration to ensure that everyone can continue doing what they do best.
3. It’s Not Profitable
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth a reminder that should say no to clients who are not profitable. Don’t be fooled into investing your business into someone or something that won’t return said investment. Experience or ‘exposure’ won’t keep your doors open or pay your team. In fact, it eats up your time and energy, leaving little for the tasks you should actually be prioritizing. Granted, it can be tricky to determine what is and is not worthwhile. So know your numbers and follow the advice of Tim Ferris. If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.
4. It’s Beyond Your Area of Expertise (or Interests)
Just because someone asked you if you can do something doesn’t mean you have to do it. When someone requests something of you that’s just a bit outside your area of expertise, it’s tempting to expand your skill set! But often, these projects have minimal profitability and take more time than anticipated because you are learning a new skill or setting up a new process. Were you looking to increase your scope of services before this client asked? Is this new skill low-hanging fruit that you can use to your advantage in the future, or is it a big investment you aren’t passionate about? If your client’s request doesn’t align with your goals, it is okay to say no. Better yet, refer your client or prospect to someone else who specializes in that area. We strongly recommend having a network of like-minded professionals who can help you or your clients with tasks outside your bread and butter.
5. Your Gut Says “No”
Your gut’s intuition knows its stuff—that wisdom should not be ignored. What is your initial reaction when approached by a client with a new idea? When you get a sense that a person is draining your energy or something seems off, pay attention! For example, say a client agrees to a proposal, but they come across as noncommital. Or, say a client approaches you for a project but requests it be done much faster than your typical timelines allow. These are red flags that your intellect will rationalize or justify (especially when the money is good). Listen to your gut and remember—you never lost money on a job you didn’t do. Your time and sanity are worth protecting!
6. It’s Disrespectful of Your Time or Expertise
Sometimes a request is downright disrespectful. As a business owner, you are allowed to hold yourself to a standard and therefore say no when a request would compromise your self-worth. “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone an explanation as to why you are unwilling to serve them. The same applies if someone were to lowball your services. You know what your time, energy, and skills are worth. So don’t feel as though you are required to satisfy a customer or client who doesn’t respect your work and your worth. In either scenario, the best thing to do is politely decline the opportunity. Alternatively, offer a solution that does align with your business goals and prices. If their answer is no, then it’s time to move on. The right clients will respect you and your expertise, fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that help everyone’s businesses thrive.
If you find yourself stressed about saying no to clients, let’s talk. By partnering with Path & Compass, you can put stronger boundaries in place surrounding your time and energy. Leave the marketing strategy to us, and we’ll guide you toward a more successful, fulfilling path to business growth. Just fill out this quick form to let us know you’re interested in a partnership, and we’ll reach out.