Book Summaries | The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook - Turning "no" into a $400k client

December 29th, 2023

Introduction to Chapter 2 (Turning “no” into a $400k client) in The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook

Below you’ll find the most important notes that I took when reading the second chapter of The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook. If you’d like to grab a copy for yourself, check it out here.

Key Lessons

• Client Selection: Selling services is about likability, often surpassing technical prowess.
• Dealing with Rejection: Develop resilience and creativity in response to common rejection reasons.

Handling Rejection Reasons

1. “We only hire full-time employees”

   • Connect with hiring managers, make them internal champions, and build trust through shared communities.

2. “Not at this time”

   • View it as an opportunity, build genuine connections with decision-makers, and revisit the offer in the future.

3. “We don’t have the budget”

   • Acknowledge the complaint, consider offering a steep discount, and tailor the negotiation path to your personality.

4. “We’ve decided not to move forward with you”

   • Seek feedback for trust-building and competitor research, learning from the experience.

Bonus: Dealing with Ghosting

• Patience and Persistence:
  • Wait for a response, understanding that silence may not indicate disinterest.
  • Share updates, express availability, and re-initiate the conversation after a strategic waiting period.

Summary

• Learning from Rejections:
  • Use rejections as opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Promptly seek feedback and adapt strategies for future interactions.
  • Allow time to unfold, sometimes leading to unexpected positive outcomes.