Our resident corporate Agony Uncle, CEO Ken Cheng, tackles business challenges – so you don’t have to.
Dear Ken Cheng,
I’m bad at negotiating with freelancers on how much to pay them. What tips and tricks can you give me?
– Red, 47, Wrexham
Ken Cheng:
Very simple. Never mention payment of any kind.
In fact, talk to the freelancer as if they’re your best friend doing you a favour.
Use phrases like “buddy”, “it’s so kind of you to do this” and “I’ll owe you one” to start with.
When they try to invoice you and send you a contract, simply laugh in their face and say “ha, good one.”
Pretend that any attempt to treat it like a professional service is sort of banter.
If they are ever brave enough to address it directly, get very solemn and start tearing up.
Look as sad as possible.
Then said “I thought we were best friends.”
Make a big deal about how they are treating this friendship in a very transactional way.
If you can trick a freelancer into accidentally taking a job for free, then you’ve achieved a huge win.
Social pressure is very powerful.
To have your business issues addressed or to book Ken Cheng for your event: [email protected]
