Comments on: How saying “No” — and meaning it — can get you the job in the end

By: Peter Wise

Peter Wise — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:17:59 +0000

As usual, another excellent post Glenn. Saying no is often the way to go. And I like the idea of actively recommending someone else like that.

By: Karri Flatla

Karri Flatla — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:37:20 +0000

I have nothing to add to your brilliant insight as a business person, Glenn.

Seriously.

Well, except to please keep sharing :)

By: Pamela Wilson

Pamela Wilson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:07:20 +0000

Time and time again, my writing colleagues and I have this discussion. It goes a little like this:
‘Oh, I just hate talking about money. Don’t you?’
‘Yep. I don’t bring it up. I wait until they do.’
‘Oh, I know, me too.’

Your post is spot-on and it is how we should all be, whether we are copywriters, travel writers, freelancers, whatever. Unfortunately, because so many people undervalue the industry we are in, we sometimes undervalue ourselves too. Sigh.

By: Sean Lyden

Sean Lyden — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:31:38 +0000

Glenn,
Thank you for sharing your story on this. It inspires writers to respect themselves, which attracts respect — and much deserved higher pay — from clients. When you’re really good at your craft and are able to deliver “spot-on” copy for the client, you can charge more and still be bargain. You’re saving clients the grief (and buyer’s remorse) for having to dealing with copy they hate, while creating copy that generates sales, new leads, etc.

Sean

Lyden’s Lab for Copywriters

By: Nick Bowditch

Nick Bowditch — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:08:16 +0000

Gday Glenn,

Nice post mate. I know Justin and Dean from Big Click Studios well and I think we are all in a pretty similar boat. Web design, copywriting, travel – these are all businesses in which we have the opportunity to discount the cost of our work if we wanted to.

And I used to. A lot.

However, I once heard a smart guy at a small business say, “someone has to be the most expensive and it might as well be you”. And, while I am certainly not the most expensive, I pretty much never give someone the cheapest quote for their travel plans.

Importantly, now I don’t want to, for one very simple reason: if someone is looking for the absolute cheapest way to get somewhere and the cheapest room in the cheapest (but nicest of course) hotel when they are there, then they are not someone who will ever come back to me as a repeat customer.

In short, they are wasting my time – not to mention undervaluing (spelling) my work and my time. I refer them straight to Flight Centre and wish them well.

We should all value ourselves and our professional worth more highly – particularly those of us who own our own small business and/or work from home.

Nick
Nick Bowditch Travel – Australia’s Family Travel Expert

By: Justin Roberts

Justin Roberts — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:10:05 +0000

Nice post Glenn. We have experienced the same thing in the web development industry. The number one rule is never compromise the quality of your work. We have actually had businesses hold off on their project until they can afford our services which is a great confidence boost.

We learnt the hard way when we first went out into business and wanted to win every contract even if it meant reducing our costs. The result was we ended up overworked, underpayed and had no time to focus on getting the well paying clients in.

Justin – Big Click Studios