Brief Summary
Marie Forleo addresses a question from Alexandra about how to decline client requests that are unfeasible due to resource constraints, cost issues, or low ROI. She provides a script with five different ways to say no while maintaining a positive client relationship, emphasizing the importance of clarity and honesty in communication. The key is to focus on what you can do, offer referrals when appropriate, and ensure your fee structure aligns with the project's demands.
- Saying no to clients can be difficult but is necessary when requests are unfeasible.
- A script is provided to decline requests in a classy and kind manner.
- It's important to be clear about whether you want to do the project before responding.
Marie Forleo introduces the Q&A Tuesday video, where she addresses a question from Alexandra about how to decline client requests that are unfeasible due to resource constraints, cost issues, or low ROI. Alexandra seeks advice on how to say no to a client without disappointing them.
Marie Forleo presents a script to help people decline client requests in a classy and kind manner. The script begins with acknowledging the client's value, followed by a clear "no" and a specific reason why. She then provides five different ways to complete the script, depending on the situation.
Marie Forleo details five different ways to complete the "I'm going to have to say no because..." part of the script:
- Lack of Expertise: Decline due to the project falling outside your expertise, and offer referrals to someone who specializes in that area.
- Insufficient Resources: Decline due to lacking the resources to deliver what the client needs, but offer alternative solutions that you can provide.
- Full Client Load: Decline because your client load is full, preventing you from giving the project the necessary attention.
- Skills Mismatch: Decline because your skills aren't a good match for what the client wants on the project.
- Fee Structure Issues: Decline because your current fee structure would result in financial loss, suggesting a renegotiation of the fee agreement if they want you on the project.
Marie Forleo emphasizes the importance of being clear about whether you actually want to do the project before responding. Sometimes, you may want to do it but need more money, while other times, you simply want to decline. Ensuring clarity and honesty in your communication is crucial.
Marie Forleo concludes by thanking Alexandra for her question and encourages viewers to share their own classy and kind ways to say no in the comments. She also promotes liking, sharing, and subscribing to Marie TV for more content.
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Transcript
Full transcript of “How to be a Class Act When Saying No to Clients”. Click a timestamp to open the video at that moment. Need another video? Use the YouTube transcript generator.
0:00 oh boy today is Q&A Tuesday it's not really Q&A Tuesday this is a Q&A Tuesday video it's Tuesday and you're getting a video that's Q&A Tuesday did that make sense today's question comes from Alexandra and she writes there are often times when clients ask for something that you just can't do because you don't have the resources the costs don't make sense or maybe you're just bending over backwards for something that won't produce much Roi return on investment that is what's the best way to say no to a client without letting them down too much love your videos they are so empowering and helpful thank you Alexandra Alexandra this is an amazing question and I have an amazing answer for you this is exactly what you need to
0:46 say anytime a client asks you for something that you can't or don't want to do hell no or Hell to the no or have you lost your mother F in my homie hell no and then they go away bye-bye but seriously most people find it really difficult to say no especially to clients but if you have a go-to script that's both classy and kind it can be much easier being the nice young lady that I am I went ahead and created a script for you and it goes like this as you know I love having you as a client however I'm going to have to say no because blank now here are five different ways to to fill in that blank depending on your situation number one
1:34 I'm going to have to say no because that project Falls outside of my expertise what you need is a person that does X here are a few referrals to get you started number two I'm going to have to say no because we don't have the resources to deliver exactly what you need but what we can do for you is this now here's a little tip whenever you say no you always want to emphasize what you can do versus what you can't number three I'm going to have to say no because my client load is really full right now and I wouldn't be able to give your project the attention it deserves number four I'm going to have to say no because I don't think my skills are a good match for what you want on this project number five all together now I'm
2:22 going have to say no because with our current fee structure I'd be losing money if you really want me on that project we'll have to come up with a new fee agreement so this script is here just to get you started you can use it as is or of course adjust it for your unique situation there's one important thing before you respond or say no to anybody make sure that you're very clear on whether or not you actually want to do the project sometimes you really want to do it but you just need more money and other times you just want to say no and that's it it ensures that your communication is really clear and honest Alexandra that was my a to your Q I hope you found it helpful thank you for asking now if you have your own classy and kind ways to say no
3:08 hell no no speaking English yet nine no no no no no no leave a comment and let me know if you like this video like it share it with your buddies hit send tweet Facebook retweet blah blah blah blah blah you know all how to do it of course if you don't want to miss an episode of Marie TV and you should never want to miss one because they're really good aren't they come on over to marieforleo.com get on the newsletter list and you and I will be connected like really intimately it'll be awesome trust me thank you so much for watching I will catch you next time hold up having a chick moment check it out y'all I would not be
3:56 wearing this right now if it wasn't for one special lady that's [Music] one I'm going to blow your mind on this Tuesday crazy I think we got it okay
