Tried to buy a snack today.
Asked if the seller had what I wanted, and they said yes. And then they proceeded to give me something else.
I gently declined and walked away.. I don’t know why anyone would do that.
Funny thing is, I ended up buying exactly what they had somewhere else.
Who knows if I might have reconsidered if they were simply honest?
Transparency is really important.
It’s so tempting to start making unrealistic promises just to get the client’s attention or to get them to pay.
But what happens when we can’t keep those promises?
We may lose their respect, trust, and probably get some bad reputation along the way. None of which is worth it.
It’s better to let people know what to expect before asking them to pay.
Of course we can over-deliver by being so extraordinary when they finally work with us, but it’s really helpful to set basic expectations early.
If you’re afraid that you might not offer enough, but still really need them to become a client, then I’d suggest you simply ask how you can serve them.
Have an open conversation, then see what comes up.
Running a business is a long-term commitment, and one of the best ways to make it all crumble unexpectedly is to lay its foundation with lies.
I’m a Christian & Business Clarity Coach. I founded Spantus to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs build meaningful, yet profitable businesses. I enjoy building stuff and writing about business, marketing, and tech. I’m deeply passionate about making life easier through technology and can’t wait to launch more projects that do just that!
