Deal
It seems like no sooner is a business up and running then there’s someone knocking on the door, lurking on the website, or calling all the time asking for a discount. Sometimes it’s a friend who wants the hookup or a relative looking for a family discount, other times it’s legitimate to ask that you’re unsure how to navigate. Here are 5 questions to consider whenever you’re asked to work or provide a product for free.
1. Are you going to get more than you give? Whenever you’re faced with someone asking you for your product or service at a deeply discounted rate or for free it’s perfectly okay for you to ask what you’re going to get in return. For example, when you provide something to be raffled off at a local event it’s common for the event organizers to put your company name and/or logo on their marketing material. Depending on the reach of that material and the demographic for the event that could be very beneficial for you as a small business owner. Similarly, if the person asking for a discount is also offering to barter their product or service as a partial payment it also may be a good idea if they’re offering something you want or need.
2. Is it for a cause or charity that you believe in? When you’re being asked for an outright donation (and being given the often heartbreaking story that goes with it) it can be difficult to say “no”. However, you should only say “yes” if it’s a cause or charity that you genuinely feel good about supporting.
3. Can you do it without harming your bottom line or your brand? Remember that at the end of the day you’re a business owner which means that you have to do what’s right for your business. This means that no matter how guilty someone tries to make you feel about saying “no” or how badly you may actually want to say “yes” that you shouldn’t contribute to anything or anyone that may compromise you or your business.
4. Are they looking for a handout or a hand up? It’s easy to assume that someone coming to you looking for a discount is also looking to get over. Sometimes though, that’s simply not the case. It’s important to consider who’s asking, how they’re asking, and what they’re asking for. The situation may not be what you think it is and the person in question may genuinely need your help.
5. Why did they come to you? It’s possible that you were sought out because you offer a truly unique service or one of a kind products. It’s also possible though that you have the kind of reputation that people know you have a hard time saying “no”. No one is likely to tell you if the latter is true so you’ll need to do some self-reflecting.
While it’s ultimately your choice who you help or when hopefully this information will offer you some guidance for the next time someone comes to you looking to make a deal.