Get the gig by saying "No"

[Corabar Entertainment]

I recently had a telephone enquiry about a wedding reception.

During the conversation, the lady said that they would like to do this / can we do that, etc and almost everything she said was either physically impossible, highly impractical, or just a plain bad idea. (eg: Seeing a DJ in action at another event, trying to project their name in lights in broad (hopefully sunny!) daylight at the entrance to a marquee, etc)

I was very aware of the fact that I was effectively saying 'no' to everything she asked, but I explained each and every item as to why it couldn't / shouldn't be done, or why, although we could do it, it would be effective, etc.

At the end of the call, I full expected her to go away with a "We're still looking around so we'll get back to you" type comment, but to my surprise, she said that she had already contacted numerous companies, and we were the only ones who had bothered to go through things with her and explain why what she wanted wasn't a good idea; that everything I had said had made perfect sense; and that she wanted to book with us because she felt that we were the only ones being honest with her as all the others had just said 'Yes' to everything!

Since then, I have received the deposit and signed contract and we're now well in to the planning of the day.

So the moral of the story: don't be a 'yes-man' and don't be afraid to tell prospective clients that something won't work perfectly, or that you're not prepared to do something - so long as there are good reasons.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Totally, totally agree!
I've had the same kind of thing on a number of occasions and the feedback when the customer has got back to me and booked is that they found the honest advice I'd given appreciated. I've never been one for trying to get bookings by promising things that I may not be able to deliver or find difficult delivering. I'd rather advise and say that I can't do something than try and end up doing something that I am not entirely happy with.

If that means I don't get the booking then that's fair enough.

[MikeW]

I recently had a telephone enquiry about a wedding reception.

During the conversation, the lady said that they would like to do this / can we do that, etc and almost everything she said was either physically impossible, highly impractical, or just a plain bad idea. (eg: Seeing a DJ in action at another event, trying to project their name in lights in broad (hopefully sunny!) daylight at the entrance to a marquee, etc)

I was very aware of the fact that I was effectively saying 'no' to everything she asked, but I explained each and every item as to why it couldn't / shouldn't be done, or why, although we could do it, it would be effective, etc.

At the end of the call, I full expected her to go away with a "We're still looking around so we'll get back to you" type comment, but to my surprise, she said that she had already contacted numerous companies, and we were the only ones who had bothered to go through things with her and explain why what she wanted wasn't a good idea; that everything I had said had made perfect sense; and that she wanted to book with us because she felt that we were the only ones being honest with her as all the others had just said 'Yes' to everything!

Since then, I have received the deposit and signed contract and we're now well in to the planning of the day.

So the moral of the story: don't be a 'yes-man' and don't be afraid to tell prospective clients that something won't work perfectly, or that you're not prepared to do something - so long as there are good reasons.




:like:

[Shaun]

So the moral of the story: don't be a 'yes-man' and don't be afraid to tell prospective clients that something won't work perfectly, or that you're not prepared to do something - so long as there are good reasons.

Well said. :agree: :like:

[DazzyD]

Being honest with a potential client (and a confirmed client for that matter) is, in my opinion, all part of delivering first class customer service. Despite how good we (think!) we are at "blagging", people can always see through false promises and downright lies always come back round to bite you on the backside!

From experience, I've found that people appreciate honesty, no matter whether it's something they want to hear or not, honesty builds trust and trust builds good working relationships. Some people will say that being ruthless is the only way to go in business and "good" people get left behind. I don't subscribe to this opinion!

[Kernow]

Excellent Angela :)
It just bears out my long time mantra 'Never say "NO !" always say "No, because....."' ?

[CRAZY K]

I recently had a telephone enquiry about a wedding reception.

During the conversation, the lady said that they would like to do this / can we do that, etc and almost everything she said was either physically impossible, highly impractical, or just a plain bad idea. (eg: Seeing a DJ in action at another event, trying to project their name in lights in broad (hopefully sunny!) daylight at the entrance to a marquee, etc)

I was very aware of the fact that I was effectively saying 'no' to everything she asked, but I explained each and every item as to why it couldn't / shouldn't be done, or why, although we could do it, it would be effective, etc.

At the end of the call, I full expected her to go away with a "We're still looking around so we'll get back to you" type comment, but to my surprise, she said that she had already contacted numerous companies, and we were the only ones who had bothered to go through things with her and explain why what she wanted wasn't a good idea; that everything I had said had made perfect sense; and that she wanted to book with us because she felt that we were the only ones being honest with her as all the others had just said 'Yes' to everything!

Since then, I have received the deposit and signed contract and we're now well in to the planning of the day.

So the moral of the story: don't be a 'yes-man' and don't be afraid to tell prospective clients that something won't work perfectly, or that you're not prepared to do something - so long as there are good reasons.

Glad to hear there are some people out there with brains left---most of them seem to be frazzled by the Olympics---and are ringing me.:D :D :D

Well done Angela--;)

[sweetie]

Excellent Angela :)
It just bears out my long time mantra 'Never say "NO !" always say "No, because....."' ?

or "No, but..." !!

[yourdj]

Well done Angela :D

I must say i have picked up more bookings the more I have been more realistic or sometimes just more picky with the types of people I want to work for. At least they client knows you know what you are talking about. Bet everyone else just said yes no problem but did not appreciate the logistics involved.

[ukpartydj]

Under promise and over deliver.

Best way to insure happy customers!