3 Price Negotiation Tips From a Veteran Kenyan Copywriter
Negotiating a price with a potential customer is scary – and complex.
You don’t want to lose the sale. But you also don’t want to charge too low!
Here are three tips by veteran copywriter Cyrus Kioko to keep in mind when you negotiate your next project.
Tip 1: Always Initiate the Discussion About the Client’s Budget
Always make sure umeuliza client budget yake before they ask about your rates.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean you should open the interview with that question.
Just find a way to weave it naturally into the conversation.
Why is this important?
Well, sometimes utapata client ako willing to pay waay more than the figure you had in your head.
Other times, it’s the other way round. In any case, initiating the discussion about their budget will give you an idea of how much they’re willing to pay, setting you up nicely to quote a figure that closely aligns with that.
It also shows confidence and comfort with the pricing discussion.
The more comfortable you are – the more it shows you are an experienced professional.
Do you know how to set a good price for your services? Read this guide.
Tip 2: Don’t be Quick to Disclose Your Nationality
If you are working with international clients, keep your location to yourself. Unless the client asks specifically, usiseme we ni Kenyan– keep the discussion about value.
Akiuliza, ni sawa, just be honest. Otherwise, acha ajulie mbele, when you already have your foot in the door.
I had a client trying to lower the rates when they discovered my nationality, imagine angejua from the start! They probably wouldn’t have hired me.
Now this doesn’t mean utumie VPNs. Well, you can, but just keep in mind that client atakutoka akijua.
Here is a helpful guide on how to use a VPN to get rem...
Tip 3: Don’t Fall Prey to Imposter Syndrome
Hii ni kitu inaaffect alot of Kenyan copywriters. As much as we’re pointing fingers at foreign clients, sometimes sisi ndo tunafanya watuone ka the cheaper option.
Just because wewe si native English speaker doesn’t mean you can’t write great copy. As long as you’ve got results and a solid portfolio behind you, kua na confidence, especially when naming your price.
Don’t stutter or say things like “ We can always negotiate if you’re not comfortable with the price” before they even voice objections to your quote.
I made that mistake once, only to learn that the client was actually willing to pay more than my quote, na mimi niko apo nikisema naeza punguza bei. Never again!
Do you want to sell with more confidence? Check out the sales miniseries featuring Miss Kahiro.
If you’ve got any thoughts about this topic, let them rip in the comment section. Cheers!