Comments on: Worthy Tip: Say No

By: Sanjay Nair

Sanjay Nair — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:24:24 +0000

Lori,

Have recently mastered the art of saying no! And seem to like it too! I frequently get such offers.

There was a time when I used to accept a 500 word article for $1. I recently got an offer for a 30 page e book for $10. Refused straight away.

Btw, I love it when I say no. Peps me up!

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:58:42 +0000

I say "no" all the time. It's one of the best things you can do for a freelance career. You're right about having to separate your self from your job and not take things personally. A lot of writers seem to struggle with that for whatever reason. The most important thing I think new writers should know is that if you want to grow a successful freelance writing career, you have to be prepared to walk away. You can't pin your success to any one client or project, or you'll miss out on far better ones.

Great post as usual!

By: Ruthibelle

Ruthibelle — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:20:47 +0000

wat hav i said no to recently?? drugs, lol, jk. Actually, cheesecake… totally random, i know.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:08:22 +0000

LOL! Yes, I can tell a dog no easier, too. That she expected it ASAP and for free is rather ridiculous. Better planning needed on her part.

Good luck on ScriptFrenzy! I've not got the time or talent for that!

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:55:38 +0000

Lori, the funny thing is when you suggested countering the offer, I immediately thought of flea markets and garage sales. Some people see something they like, don't like the price and walk away. Others haggle for a better deal. And you know what? Most dealers set prices higher than they expect to get because they know people will haggle. So by not bargaining with them, the people who pay the marked price are getting a poor deal, and those who walked away are missing out entirely. So if you don't ask, you won't know what you're missing.

What did I recently say no to? Crocheting. I'd sent a link to a site with free patterns people can knit or crochet as not-for-profit fundraisers to a woman I know who runs a local n-f-p. I sent it several months ago. This week she finally replies, wondering if I could knock out ten hand-crocheted market bags. By Monday. I love to crochet, and am all about giving back to my community, but less than a week for one person (with no materials for the project) to make ten items? With a major holiday weekend coming up? And, you know, a job.

That was the easiest "no" I've ever said to a human being. (Somehow saying no to dogs is much easier.)

But one thing I said yes to: ScriptFrenzy. It's like NANOWRIMO, only with scripts. A friend challenged me. 100 pages in one month? I've written 80 pages in one weekend, so despite my hectic schedule, I'm gonna give it a try. Probably won't start right away, but I'll get around to it. I hope.