I make you money from your website | Search Engine Specialist (SEO & PPC) | Father of 2 girls | Husband of 1 wife
"Take it or Leave it" I left it. Somebody tried to negotiate with me recently. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind negotiating. I get it. I try and negotiate on everything but here are my rules on negotiating prices. If you want a cheaper price then I want some commitment back. If you want the price reduced then I want you to commit to a longer term. If you want the price reduced then I want you to pay upfront. If you want the price reduced then I want you to commit to minimum orders. But if you want the standard terms, the same as everybody else who pays full price, and you want 20% off? If you want me to do everything for you and be unwilling to give anything back? If you look me in the eye, are unwilling to budge and simply say "take it or leave it"? Nah - I think I'll leave it thanks. Value your services. Value what you do. If you don't then nobody else will. Can you relate to this?
It's all about value - you need to deliver it for the client and the client need to provide you with some value (profit or better terms). In terms of negotiation this book is a good read: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/B07T7L39TN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DY2XUEKP25TU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qzu8czjC63DRDab_WD1xxYdMG89p8_SOUN3NcuQDO2HnkAUjdiLs4KA2i7sbc0xT9aVY7RPJ463Ir1jhVFc43zUiW4z6ySlQ4EK0Jri3cr3ar47y94s1mPSo1Vg_0TPJ-KDkTOTX4EeCXe6ceS85dfUi-Z1DR403CC7jQviZKgGRn7xcHU7tSQ6iN_ZbJI9gELM0psXQt4vLR7Zrdyyo3ol7ajVbWOnRFyGxnVMBSDo.g_RLokUW2MbItFWAPazQpPSoP9_Uuz0lmaua4Rf1F_g&dib_tag=se&keywords=never+split+the+difference&qid=1720082868&sprefix=never+%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1
Knowing when to walk away is the hardest thing..
It’s called a ‘negotiation’ - both parties have to do their bit. There are times when I’ve been involved in very one sided negotiations…. 🤦🏾♂️
Totally agree this is the right response. Don't undervalue your value. That's the quickest way to the bottom.
The yahoo local renewal call was always interesting 😂😂 I’ve seen mr neilson take one from 1,000 pound to 100 quid before on the same call, now that’s service 😂😂
You know exactly how that relationship would be Mike. "You're the (inferior) supplier and I'm the one with the money." They would think they had you on a piece of string, constant demands, unreasonable expectations. We've all had clients like that one and you had the wisdom to swerve them - without doubt the right call!
Absolutely - ‘what can I get in exchange for a discount?’ - is a question I started asking recently. I offered a 10% discount in exchange for camera ready artwork (as your granddad) as a junior advertising salesman in 1989!
Do you find that sticking to your principles in negotiations ultimately leads to more successful and fulfilling business relationships, Mike Lewis?
This is great! The only thing worse than a cheap client is bending over for one 💀
Boosting SEO results with a fixed price, magic beans and fairy dust. 😁
1wNegotiations are like those mathematical equations you had to solve at school - where you had to say what value X had. For every action on one side of the equals sign, the same action had to be done on the other side. It is also like a see-saw - both participants cooperate to make it balance. So if the client wants something, then you need something in return. We all appreciate a favour and that appreciation needs to be expressed through give and take on both sides. Just trying to grab a discount with nothing in return is rude and should be resisted unless you must have the order and have no other choice.