In the world of sales, it’s important to remember that people lie a lot. I’m an optimist, and I like to see the best in people. The truth is, though, that a lot of people are willing to lie about their bottom line to get a better deal. Connor Grieb, founder of SEO Vineyard, gave a lecture the other day and shared experiences he’s had when business owners say something like “I have proposals from other companies that are much more reasonable than what you’re offering.” He talked about how it’s important to be flexible, but only to a point. He said it’s important to be fair to consumers, but also to be fair to yourself. Most of all, he said he’s confident in his offering and the results he can drive with the work he does, and it’s fine if people aren’t willing to pay for those results. I appreciated that message because it’s tempting to bend in whatever way we can to make a quick buck. Young people just starting out and trying to make a name for themselves might make the mistake of underselling themselves for a quick buck. While it’s important to get a foot in the door somehow, it’s also important to be confident in the value that we offer to others. If we believe something is valuable, then we ought to receive value for it, and both parties can prosper in voluntarily entering that exchange. That’s the beauty of the free market, and I’m thankful to be in a country that stands up for those principles. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, Connor!

3 thoughts on “Budget and Sales”
  1. I think one of the most difficult things for new freelancers is being able to talk about budget and creating proposals. It is difficult when you are new to the game to set your prices, and it is important for you to value your time, experience, and the costs that exist to you as a freelancer (business expenses and taxes). Ultimately it is okay to turn down business if you and a prospect are not a good fit, and understanding what you have to offer is the first step in being able to communicate this clearly.

  2. As Christians, we have to keep in mind that when one or both parties does not ensure they get what they need from an exchange, we are not being stewardly and moving resources where they ought to be.

  3. I loved the emphasis on underselling and trying to make a quick buck. It is so important that salesmen be honorable in all their sales and care more about their client than money.

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