1. Doing “Favors” and “Hook-ups”
The best way to destroy a money making business? Give product away for FREE. if someone asks you for a massive discount or services for free they are completely disrespecting YOU and what YOU DO. One of the BIGGEST mistakes I made with my business from day one was doing “favors” giving people things for free with the (mostly fake) possibility of them bringing business later. It##Q##s the oldest trick in the BOOK. I call them “Carrot Danglers” because they treat you like a dumb science project, they dangle the carrot in front of you and string you along until you are exhausted with no reward in the end. Some of them are SO good they create the impression they are helping you by giving you the opportunity to help them. TELL ANYBODY COMING TO YOU FOR anything for FREE and MASSIVE DISCOUNTS to take a long walk on a short pier. Here are a few of the reasons you should not walk but RUN from these people:
- They are bad for the self esteem of your business
- They don##Q##t have the money now but do you have the business now?
- It##Q##s a win/lose situation and the “win” is NOT in your favor
- You are being misled, lied to and used moreover what if they tell other potential clients (and they will) they got your service for free or for a massive discount?
- The person will NEVER see the monetary value in what you do from the point you give them something for free, this is the same as sleeping with someone on the first date. They know the value of your BRAND that##Q##s why they contacted you but they have screwed your business in order to get that value for free… what##Q##s left?
- Is your rent or mortgage free? Does the bank give you “Hook ups?”
- Simply tell them “NO” and say “I have to go.” You don##Q##t even have time to have a conversation with someone who does not respect your business. Respect YOURSELF and YOUR business and clients will respect YOU.
- Ask them to go into a Gucci store and ask for something for free. They will get a “free” trip by security and be shown the door.