I Gotta Learn How to Say No

By on March 4, 2007 in Brain Stew with 14 Comments

I’m not sure how or why it started, though I have a clue.
Seems I’ve been branded a web developer, but that’s not what I do.

It takes me twice as long to code, learning as I go
I’ll be outsourcing this stuff from now on, but prices will grow.

I’m a Conversation Conductor, it says so to the right
I build communities of customers, if I’m not coding all night.

My fault, really – I get excited when a company says YES
They want to start a blog, so I do whatever it takes I guess.

But this model isn’t working, no coaching is getting done
I’m as guilty as others, sending them into battle with a loaded gun.

Companies are moaning that their month old blog has no success
Why? They wrote one post last week (same text as their brochure, no less).

Suggest they read other blogs, even make a comment or three.
They don’t have time. Reading other blogs waste their time, you see.

They want to ride on this bandwagon, "Please build us a blog site."
Folks the tool is not the answer, the conversation is what gives it flight.

Six Five code-heavy projects still on the table, but after that no more
Want to build a community of customers? You’ve come to the right door.

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  • http://essentialkeystrokes.com Char

    When you figure out how to say no will you please coach me on it??? I am really at a crossroads and while I am a web designer, certain types of projects no longer appeal to me, but saying no is so hard at the moment.

  • http://www.ladylike4.com Jennifer

    I am a hobbyist… ha ha.
    Can’t say no.
    So what do I have today? I have a project that most people in the graphics industry would love. I am working on an ad for national publication.
    How did I get into this? I mean the pay is nice, but what is going on with me? I am a hobbyist aren’t I? Why didn’t I say I think this is above my knowledge or something? I am going to be working 50 times the amount of time a “professional” would have.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    > Char, Yes…I mean…well…yes, if I figure it out, yes.
    > Jennifer, cool gig, but the last line is a pain we share. I like the coding, but won’t charge as much as a “pro” because …well, they are and I’m not. Yet…we could’ve saved so much time, right?
    Char and Jennifer – maybe you can trade some of the work with each other (depending on the likes and such). Of course…you could always say no…right?

  • http://www.grnoakpark.com James Waltonj

    Mike, I will get to meet you in Chicago and I look forward to it. My ranking is now 59000, I have only been aware of this ranking the past couple months. I hope to move up!
    On saying no, I understand the what ever it takes mentality. You are a blog coach, and coaches coach, fighters fight and Kentucky fried chicken frys chicken. Do what you are a star at, that is the true value for your clients.all the best

  • http://www.customersarealways.com Maria Palma

    It’s hard to say no when some of your customers are good customers and you want to help them out in any way possible. I’ve been there too!
    Anyhow, on another note, little do people know that their potential customers are out there waiting for you to visit their blog and leave a comment or two ;)
    A very inspiring poem! I miss writing poetry ;) I may have to start doing that on some of my blogs. Thank you!

  • http://www.conversationagent.com Valeria Maltoni

    Mike:
    I get this post at so many levels. We’re afraid to close a door, yet we know there are only so many hours in a day. What would we rather do? Would we rather be good enough, or should be choose to be great? Where does paying the bills come in?

  • http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com Chris Brown

    You can’t say no when your client needs help… but maybe you can say, “Here’s 3 choices of web developers I work with regularly and recommend their services.” By forming a strong alliance with web developers who are beginning bloggers (or tried it and are not keen on spending time training other people how to do it), I think you have a win/win/win for you, for your clients and for your strategic partners.
    I know that has kept me out of trouble in the past when I start thinking, “I can do it… I can do it all.”
    Too bad I couldn’t put this into a cool rhyme the way you did!!

  • http://www.blogopreneur.com Kian Ann

    Mike,
    Somehow I had the same feelings as you over the past weekend. Its difficult to say no, especially when your “clients” are your good friends. You want so much to help, but helping will bring you off focus.
    Well…. Life.

  • http://www.studio24llc.com Andrew Clark

    Oh, to have the luxury to say no.
    So may independent contractors have the same trouble you have… Produce, produce, produce (while letting sales slide)… Then, sell, sell, sell (while letting production pile up). It’s the challenge of calendar management.
    Do what you do best – COACH! I never saw my coach out on the pitcher’s mound and running to right field to make the play to win the game, but he DID educate the TEAM on how to work together for a winning season.
    You seem to have a great team developing here and by supporting each other the whole team wins!
    Keep coaching!

  • http://www.maryschmidt.com Mary Schmidt

    Mike,
    I can relate! Maybe you should take your own advice ;-)
    I took your advice from a previous post. Just last week, a new client wanted to know if I’d help her get started blogging. Instead of leaping right in, I recommended that she try one of the free ones first – see how she liked it and if she grokked. Otherwise, it’s just too frustrating for me – people get all excited – I get them started. And the the blog just sits there.
    Look at it from this perspective – you’re not delivering real value to your clients if you end up doing coding. (I’m going to print that out and hang it on my wall.)

  • http://www.artdinkin.com Art Dinkin

    You are like a multi-faceted diamond… every time I see you from a different angle you sparkle and shine. I am envious of your creativity and clear focus. If you are the coach, then I consider myself one of your prospective players. You know the answers. Be true to yourself and the power of your message will grow even greater.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >James – I am excited to get the opportunity to meet with you! Great coaching tips in your comment. Thanks for the focus. Great climb in the ranks (speaks of how valuable your voice is to us)
    >Maria – You add so much to this topical chat, you’re right about the comments and I tip my hat. I look forward to reading your writing in a song, do it as it comes up and it won’t be wrong.
    >Valeria, Great addition here and on your recent post on Split Personality. Thanks for the focus!
    >Chris:-) You provide a solution we all can employ. But you provide a lot of answers and I appreciate that.
    >Kian…busy loves company I guess:-) It is hard to say “no”, especially when you love your customers. Outsource it? I need to find some strategic alliances who will bring their talents AND their love to the customer.
    >Andrew! Speaking of whom…we need to meet again soon! Great point about the coach not making the play.
    >Mary – I usually tell people, “Mary Schmidt shoots straight from the heart – passion without pulling any punches” Thanks for who you are!
    >Art – Are you ready for a hug?

  • http://ryanhealy.typepad.com/copywriting Ryan Healy

    Love the poem. It’s too easy to overcommit, isn’t it?
    Thanks for the reminder about what a blog is for: conversations.
    Regarding blogs that don’t work… a hammer doesn’t strike a nail on its own. First you pick the hammer up, get a nail, etc. :-)

  • http://www.customersarealways.com/2007/03/a_little_poetry_to_destress.html CustomersAreAlways

    A Little Poetry To De-Stress

    As Im reading Meikahs post about reading poetry to your customer service reps, I think about Mike Sansone and the poetry that he incorporates into his blog posts – another reason why I love Mikes blog so much. His poetr…

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