#general
Thread
GROOOOAN. The prospect I'm trying to woo over is already trying to lowball me. Not a good sign.
Prospect is having budget issues. I offered to lower my rates from $700 per post to $500 + 10% commission, and $400 for the trial. (I'd be willing to go down to $400/15% if I have to). I even proposed content ideas and mapped them out on a spreadsheet.
They counter with $250 per post + 20% commission. Then the CEO said "you're trying to earn our business. Can't you do the trial for free?"
Work for free? I'm a 33 year old man, not a 20 year old college intern. I have bills to pay.
But obviously I didn't say that. I went with a non-committal "Um, let me think about that, maybe we can meet in the middle."
I now have until Monday or Tuesday to decide how desperate I am for work. Should I try to work with them, or tell him to go fudge himself?
Tell em to go fudge himself
Where's the red flag emoji
there it is
@Eric Doty (Superpath) right here 🚩🚩🚩
Thank you for the offer, but I only take on paid assignments. Please let me know if the budget changes in the future.
Honestly if they are going to try to get free work, they may try to delay payments and stuff
FWIW, I personally wouldn't ever negotiate with clients on service price, favoring instead pre-structured discounts for certain incentives. I have other reasons for that, but a main one is that if you come down on normal price for a client who cites "budget issues," it's a fundamental non-fit and will be a miserable engagement. They'll demand the moon because they perceive you as expensive, while you'll be incented to blow them off because they're your least profitable client. Being at the upper end of a client's price range is miserable.
On another note, out of curiosity, commission on what? Sales that result from the content?
This gives you have an idea of how work with them will go down the line, especially if they pushed this much.
I think it's a huge red flag for someone to say "you're trying to earn our business...." and ask for something for free like that.
Yes, you do want business but the right business who will understand your value. It doesn't sound like they understand that at all.
“Thanks for letting me know your budget. My per-article rate starts at $700, so it sounds like we’re not a good match for now, but feel free to reach out again in the future if you end up getting more budget!”
That’s really all you need to say Like @Erik Dietrich said, negotiating with clients on servicing pricing is a lose-lose game.
To me, it sounds like you’ve wasted enough time and energy on this prospect, and they’re not a good fit. If they’re demanding lower prices and free work, they don’t value content. I’d politely end the conversation and move on.
I come down in scope if they don't have the budget. Shorter posts, less posts, etc. Stick to your rates unless you're on a retainer and they are guaranteeing ongoing work by paying in advance!
You can point out that you’re like any other professional who offers a valuable service or expertise in a specific domain. Would they ask their surgeon, their HR consultant, or whomever, to earn their business with a free trial?