09: Making “the ask” less scary and 6 steps to pitch with confidence

What does it actually mean to make the ask and why does it make us so nervous to pull the trigger? This was a heavily requested episode today because I think something can be so high on our hearts and we tell ourselves, okay, I want this so badly, but then it comes to actually asking we either don’t or don’t know how to successfully. So in this episode, I want to spill the tea on five foolproof steps to making the ask, dealing with rejection and how do you know when no is really a no? I know at the end of this episode, you're going to feel so much better about pitching and you can start asking and going for your dreamiest stretchiest goals. 

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Transcript

Lucy Bedewi: [00:00:00] When you have something that you want, the first thing you can do is just say, I want this, I'm worthy of it.

Lucy Bedewi: I deserve it. I'm going to go out and get it because you are amazing. And the thing that you're probably trying to sell or the thing that you're trying to get beta users on is probably really cool or else you wouldn't be doing it. So own it  

Hi there, Lucy here. You are listening to the bold founder where we inspire you to go bigger in your messaging, marketing mindset, and moves while finding a joyful middle ground between intense hustle and easy flow.

Lucy Bedewi: This was a heavily requested episode today because I think we are so nervous to make the ask. Something can be so high on our heart and we tell ourselves, okay, I want this so badly, but then it comes to actually asking. Asking for that thing. And we get all nervous and [00:01:00] terrified because we're so scared of getting rejected, even if what we're asking for is relatively minimal.

Lucy Bedewi: But when it comes to our careers, when it comes to our businesses, We're not going to get anywhere unless we ask. And I think when you can get to that point where you're comfortable being assertive and being direct and asking for exactly what you want and not beating around the bush or sugarcoating it.

Lucy Bedewi: That's when you get the results that you want in way less time. So today's going to be a very actionable episode about making the ask. And we're going to talk about everything from making the ask when you need to ask someone for a virtual coffee because you have questions and you might want to have a strategic partnership with them, or maybe they're above you in their career and you want to just ask them some questions to making a sale or asking for money or asking for users.

Lucy Bedewi: Yeah. There are so many moments where you're going to have to say the thing when you're going to have to go up to someone's armpit sweating and just say, [00:02:00] Hey, I'm looking for this. Would you like to give me this? And if that's something that's scary, I know at the end of this episode, you're going to feel so much better about it because we're going to go through some action steps on how you can make the ask.

Lucy Bedewi: What does it actually mean to make the ask? I'd like to define it as you want something from somebody and you have to slide into their DMS, their emails, whatever you have to do, but you have to get them to notice you and then you have a request and this process can often feel aggressive, salesy, pushy, honestly, any words you want to put in there.

Lucy Bedewi: And it's all of these things that we're trying not to be a cynic about. Especially if you are a people pleaser, you might be listening to this episode thinking, Oh, it's so scary. I don't want to bother them. And you might be thinking all of those thoughts. So I want to start this episode by saying this was so not natural for me.

Lucy Bedewi: I did not [00:03:00] come out just being really good at making the ask. I used to have really indirect sales conversations. It's actually a funny story to kick things off. I was selling chocolate bars in high school because I was raising money for something and I had to go door to door, like talk about the SpongeBob episode where they're going door to door selling chocolate.

Lucy Bedewi: If I was so nervous to ask people if they wanted to buy a chocolate bar. So I was just doing really weird stuff. And one woman, I rang the doorbell. She came to the door and I said, I really like your painting. And the first thing she asked is she's just Do you want to buy it? And this interaction was so hilarious looking back, but I was so nervous to ask and say, Hey, I'm raising money.

Lucy Bedewi: Do you want to buy a chocolate bar? That I ended up making this interaction so weird. Like I made it weird. And it's because I was so afraid of coming across as aggressive that I actually made it so much weirder by talking around the thing. When I started My Hand Woman [00:04:00] and I was working on my own business, I had to get so much more comfortable with making the ask.

Lucy Bedewi: And now I feel really fortunate that My Hand Woman has a really high close rate. These are skills that I've developed, but they definitely didn't just happen. now I'm much more comfortable with outbound sales, even sending cold pitches in a really human way. Because, There is a way to do it. And the way to do it is truthfully being a human and being direct and saying, Hey, this is what I'm looking for.

Lucy Bedewi: And without being pushy, you can make that ask and you can be direct and you can get your desired results. So I like to start a lot of these episodes with a little bit of mindset because. Oftentimes that's where the blocks are. So when it comes to making the ask, the biggest thing I see people forgetting to do is owning it, owning what they want.

Lucy Bedewi: Maybe they feel like they're asking for money if they're trying to sell something. And, oh my gosh, that's so weird because how can you ask someone for money? No one wants [00:05:00] to give me money. I don't want to come across as a salesperson. And that's the voice that's going through your head. Same thing as if you're asking for someone's time, you immediately think, okay, I'm asking this person for their time because I really want to get this job, or I really want to land the strategic partnership, or I want this mentorship opportunity, but they don't want to talk to me.

Lucy Bedewi: I'm going to ask them for 30 minutes of their time and then they're going to feel like, oh God, I got to get on this phone with this person. And as soon as those stories are going through your head, you're not owning the ask and people can feel that lack of confidence behind what you want. When you have something that you want, the first thing you can do is just say, I want this, I'm worthy of it.

Lucy Bedewi: I deserve it. I'm going to go out and get it because you are amazing. And the thing that you're probably trying to sell or the thing that you're trying to get beta users on is probably really cool or else you wouldn't be doing it. So. Own it is the first thing. And the second thing is, this is especially when it comes to sales.[00:06:00] 

Lucy Bedewi: I love sales. Sales is my favorite part of my job because I see it as I am giving someone a solution that can actually change their life to the point that the money's gone. It's not going to be a big deal when they see how much value and transformation can come out of what they're potentially getting.

Lucy Bedewi: And once you really believe in yourself and your ask, it becomes so much easier to just trust. Go for it because you're telling yourself. Okay. I'm not just this grabby monster. That's trying to get time or money I'm actually providing so much value and I just have to get in the door and it doesn't really matter Who makes the first move if I make the first move or the person?

Lucy Bedewi: I'm making the ask to makes the first move the end results gonna be the same both of our lives are going to be so Much better for it because I'm a good person. I am worthy of this and I'm gonna go get it But there's also a fun part of human nature of The idea [00:07:00] that it's really hard when someone's making an ask and it's one sided You know, we'll do favors for people we like and for people we know but we don't always want to do favors for strangers sometimes if we're you know, having a good day, we'll be like, yeah, of course I'm just here to help the world But most days we have our own lives going on and we don't want to take tons of time out for a stranger So when you are making the ask, I always like to see You What can you give?

Lucy Bedewi: How can you make your ask really enticing for the other person? let's say you are trying to create this strategic partnership with a sister company that you guys have a similar clientele. You would want to lead the ask with, Hey, this is what I bring to the table. This is exactly how I think we could collaborate.

Lucy Bedewi: This is how I think it would grow your business. And then also this is how I think it could grow my business. You don't want to be over giving, you want to make sure that you tell them, Hey, this would be good for both of us, but where can you lead with [00:08:00] the give? And it goes down to book that I think a lot of us have read of When friends and influence people and it says like people always want to know what's in it for them And if you have something that's in it for them lead with that because that is always going to be more powerful when you're trying to get in someone's inbox or Into someone's DMS, however, you're going about things but be mindful of the transaction I think this advice is really good.

Lucy Bedewi: But when you get overgiving and you're saying something I want to be a guest on your podcast and in exchange I will give you a free consulting hour with me and I'll put you on my Instagram and I'll also give you my firstborn child. you can get really intense with it because you're thinking, okay, how can I give them so much value that they say yes to me?

Lucy Bedewi: And what that looks like when you're adding and adding is you don't feel like your own, it. Expertise and human hood can stand on its own. So that's another really important thing to keep in mind when you are making the ask is convey [00:09:00] confidence with conciseness. If you're just going to keep throwing everything but the kitchen sink at someone to try and prove that you're valuable enough for a call with them for their business, whatever it is, They're gonna be like, okay, this person clearly doesn't have a good product or anything to offer because Why are they offering me an hour and a half of their time for free?

Lucy Bedewi: it feels weird. So that's a thing that's to keep in mind. And also if there isn't anything in it for them, don't pretend that there is. I have reached out to so many people that are out of my business league. And I say that with so much love, but they're very advanced in their career.

Lucy Bedewi: They're in a place that I want to get to. And of course I have skills that they probably don't have. And maybe there would be some way that I can help them out or support them. But, we're all. able to see each other's stuff, they can clearly see that if they get on a 30 minute call with me, it's because I have questions about how they got to where they are.

Lucy Bedewi: I want to ask them some questions or do some sort of [00:10:00] informational interview. So yeah. In that case, I'll just own it. I won't pretend that I can give them all of these amazing things. We're getting on a 30 minute call with me. Instead, I'm just going to be incredibly focused, direct, and mindful of their time and lean into the fact that, yeah, they are doing me a favor and I really respect them and I'm inspired by them and I've researched, maybe they have a podcast or they have a website.

Lucy Bedewi: I'm not just someone being like, Hey, get on the phone with me. But I really tried to invest my time in getting to know them. And I want to speak to them for a very specific purpose. moving into the next part of this episode, away from the mindset and the overall, what you could do to make the ask, is I want to move into the tangibles.

Lucy Bedewi: What do you do to actually make said ask? Before making any ask, I like to look within myself, and I think it's really important to look within yourself and ask yourself, are you [00:11:00] credible? We get so many random messages every single day of people who want stuff from us. It could be as simple as someone who just wants your attention.

Lucy Bedewi: So they slide into your stories. That's a benign example. Or it could be someone sliding into LinkedIn because they want your position or, they, Really respect where you are in your business and they want to hear how you started your business or they want to create some collaboration with you or maybe they, want to sell something to you because you're successful and they're selling B2B.

Lucy Bedewi: there's a million things that people are asking for you every single day. Everything wants your attention. So when you're on the side of making the ask, how can you bolster who you are to a point that if they were to look you up and stalk you, they would see, Oh. This person is Cool. Or this person is successful or this person is credible or I trust this person or this person's consistent.

Lucy Bedewi: And it's really hard to do that online if you're just a face with or without a picture. [00:12:00] So the idea is where can you create credibility in your own online home? Because where you ask someone is just as important as what you're asking. If you never use Instagram, don't send Instagram DMS to people.

Lucy Bedewi: If you are. crushing it on LinkedIn and you have 500 plus connections and you have all of your career stuff inputted and people can look you up there, definitely message people on LinkedIn. Do you have a website? Is there a place people can go and look you up and see if you are who you say you are or get a sense of you?

Lucy Bedewi: Because if you are anonymous on the internet, Making asks is so incredibly difficult because people just see you as a random person. But if someone can watch a TikTok video of you roasting a movie and then you make them laugh, then they're gonna think, okay, this phone call could be funny with this person.

Lucy Bedewi: Yeah, I'll help them with their career. So as much of your footprint you can put online, you are basically creating connection points [00:13:00] for people to want to spend more time in your world because you don't feel like a stranger. That's how we research people these days. So put that extra effort into your personal brand.

Lucy Bedewi: So you are able to make those asks and. Reach high and pitch podcasts and pitch PR and sell to people and you feel so much warmer because they're able to see that you're not just a faceless person asking them for something. When it comes to making the ask, these are the steps that I use. The first one is to get really focused.

Lucy Bedewi: What do you actually want out of this person? I think sometimes when we see someone who we could sell to or they could be good for a business or they could be someone that's just cool and we want to talk to them. we lie to ourselves and say oh, I just want to connect. I just want them in my network.

Lucy Bedewi: And sometimes that's true, but sometimes it's not. So I encourage you to dive deeper and ask yourself, What do you actually want from this interaction with this person? And be really direct. if you're going to lie to other people, that's not great, but let's definitely not lie [00:14:00] to ourselves. The second thing is do your research.

Lucy Bedewi: I can't tell you how many people have made and asked for me, and they say something like, I'm trying to start my graphic design business and sign clients. Can you tell me how you started your design business? And I just think to myself, did you even look at my page? did you even look at anything I've ever designed?

Lucy Bedewi: I just Act like a three year old who just discovered Canva. So do your research and really educate yourself on this person's career trajectory. If you're going to make a sale to them, educate yourself on what they need. What are the job postings they've posted in the past year? So you can come into the interaction without them having to give you background information because no one wants to get you up to speed, especially when you're the one making the ask.

Lucy Bedewi: The third. Try and find a flimsy connection point. This is my favorite thing to do because it's amazing how much you probably have in common with people. And when you leverage even just the dumbest things, it'll actually get you [00:15:00] a lot of results. We're going to talk about this more when I give you guys a tangible example of how to go through these steps.

Lucy Bedewi: But the flimsy connection point of, I also have a beagle or wow,worked at the same company in 2017, or even something, if they post their breakfast and you say, I've been trying to make, you Eggs that fluffy for 10 years. what's your secret and this is your time to get really human before you get into the business or before you get into the ask and just see if you can create some sort of connection with them and don't worry if it's flimsy.

Lucy Bedewi: So many people, we have something in common with them, but very few people do we have this perfect, Oh my gosh, we have the same best friend. So allow yourself to utilize maybe an acquaintance in common or going to the same giant state school because that is the best way to take a cold interaction and make it lukewarm.

Lucy Bedewi: Step four, ask quickly. Okay. Thank you. as people, just selling to them right off the bat is not the way to do it. I [00:16:00] would never make a sale just right off the bat, but I also don't believe in this really long warming them up process. I have been sold to so many times where people think they're being slick.

Lucy Bedewi: They ask me these questions like, how long have you been in your business for? Is it going well? What obstacles are you facing in your business? And I'm like, okay, we're going to get to some sort of pitch. just pitch it. So as the asker, I think the faster you can ask the better because then you're just getting it out there and you're saying, Hey, I think you could be a really good fit for this offer.

Lucy Bedewi: I don't want to completely cold pitch you, but I also don't want you to think that this interaction is in any way being non genuine or indirect and people appreciate directness, especially successful founders who are busy and they just want to know what you want and then you can go from there. it's one of those things of it's going to feel a little weird. You're going to want to warm them up. You're going to want to [00:17:00] be nicer. All these voices are going to go through your head, but how quickly can you tell someone why you're here in their DM box or inbox, especially if it's cold, people are onto you.

Lucy Bedewi: Then step five, give them an asset. If you have a really strong personal brand, you're already in a really good spot, but giving them an asset, like a video that you recorded or something that they can listen to, or a blog post that you wrote that kind of relates to the ask that you're making is so powerful because it's basically giving them space to explore you a little bit more.

Lucy Bedewi: And we're going to get into some really good assets to sell in the example part of this episode. But this is the step that nobody's doing, but will make you seem so much more empathetic towards the people that you ultimately want something from. Then we have step six. Make saying yes easy. If you're going to make an ask and they're going to say yes, Make that yes the easiest yes, [00:18:00] they've said all day.

Lucy Bedewi: So maybe that looks like proposing a time on a calendar so they don't have to ask you when are you free or have this long email exchange or Maybe it's just being really specific about what you're looking for. Whether it's their time you give Hey, I'm looking for 15 minutes of your time or if it's a sale you're saying this is the sales process.

Lucy Bedewi: If it's something you wanted to kick off, this would be our next step. Make it so that they're not guessing what they have to do to make you happy or give you what you want. I am so much more likely to give someone what they want If they just tell me what they want and tell me the next step for me to help them.

Lucy Bedewi: And then the last step is take rejection gracefully. We're going to talk about what to do when you get rejected because sometimes a no is not always a no. And how do you honor that temporary no? But sometimes it is a no. Sometimes It's get out of my inbox or I'm not interested. And how you respond to that will say [00:19:00] so much about who you are and who your business is and what your business stands for when it comes to sales.

Lucy Bedewi: So that's almost as important as how you start the conversation is how you end it. So let's get into an example. So we have our steps. I'm going to say them again for anyone taking notes. Get focused. What do you actually want? Do your research, get specific, try and find a flimsy connection point, make the ask quickly, give them some sort of asset, make saying yes easy, and then take rejection gracefully.

Lucy Bedewi: So the example I'm using today is I see the founder of a lip gloss e commerce retailer and they are a complete dream client. I really want to sign them. I want them to work with my studio because I think writing copy and creating their verbal strategy for them would be actually the most fun thing I've ever done.

Lucy Bedewi: So I want them as a dream client. So step one, what do I want? Old me would say something like, I just want her in my network. She seems cool, but [00:20:00] I want to work with her. So there's really no point in me saying I want to have her in my network. So I'm going to try and book a casual connection call to see if I can lead her naturally into a sales conversation, because already I'm starting the interaction.

Lucy Bedewi: If I do that from a place of being in genuine, because I want to work with her. So by saying that to myself, getting that goal, boom, good, we're done. I want her as a lead. Then I do some research. So when it comes to research, especially for something like this, my first question I would ask is, have they put out job opportunities looking for a copywriter in the past year?

Lucy Bedewi: I can look that up on LinkedIn. I can figure that out. And then I could also see what's their brand voice? Because that'll inform The way I approach them, is it going to be a more formal email? Am I going to casually slide in with a hooky casual, Hey there, and then another question I could ask as I'm researching is what would they feasibly need?

Lucy Bedewi: Okay. They're Instagram famous. That's how they got their start as this lip gloss company. So they're probably running paid ads and doing some sort of media that [00:21:00] way to get to where they are today. So they might want to outsource their ad copy, or I'd be curious to see how their ad copy is performing, or if they're even thinking about running ads, because maybe they grew organically.

Lucy Bedewi: So doing that extra step of seeing before I talk to this company, what can I learn about this company? So I'm not approaching them from a completely cold place of, Hey, you want to work with my copywriting studio? And then instant delete. Next we move to the flimsy connection point. And as I mentioned, it can be anything, literally anything that can start a conversation.

Lucy Bedewi: I can go on the founder's Instagram and maybe she posted a matcha latte on her story. So I could swipe up and say, I've been trying to get into matcha, but the flavor is just so earthy, see if that gets a response. See if you can start a conversation that way. Yeah. you can also slide into someone's email because you saw them speak in an event and you're saying, wow, this line you said in that place you were speaking really spoke to me.

Lucy Bedewi: Anything that is the name of this episode is just [00:22:00] anything that gets you in the door, get in the door. Once I slid into someone's DMs on LinkedIn and what I opened with is, We both worked at American Eagle when we were teenagers, and Now that seems like such a trivial, irrelevant thing for what we actually ended up talking about, which was potentially having her on my podcast.

Lucy Bedewi: But that's what got me in the door is that flimsy connection point. So just start with a normal human connection about anything and try and be a little bit funny or casual. People can see through when you're just saying something like you have a really cute dog, it's more fun if you say something like, I don't I saw your beagle and it looks so much like my grandma's beagle.

Lucy Bedewi: I know that's creepy because all beagles look the same, but look at this picture. They actually have the same spot pattern. So as you can see, I'm just trying to make it a little bit more specific, different, surprising, unexpected, but still very human. [00:23:00] Then we move into ask quickly. of course I'll exchange a few messages.

Lucy Bedewi: asking immediately is never the way to go. You want to get a sense of them. But within a few messages, be transparent. So I might say something like, I'll be honest here, lip gloss, I'm trying to think of a name for this lip gloss e commerce retailer that I'm going to work with. I'll be honest here.

Lucy Bedewi: Lip gloss central would be a dream client for me. I've always wanted to be in the beauty space and I saw you had an opening for a copywriter. I'm not sure if you're still looking for someone to fill that role, but if you are, I would love to open up a conversation on that. So as you can see, I did my research.

Lucy Bedewi: This is an easy example because you can see they're clearly looking for someone or were looking for someone. Sometimes you'll have to get a little bit more creative. but I'm just going for it. And I think when it comes to the ask is, eventually you just have to ask. And it's the scariest part, but once you do it, you'll realize you're not asking for anything crazy.

Lucy Bedewi: And this is all business, and we all want to make our businesses and careers. And The things that we care [00:24:00] about better. So we're always open to hearing what someone has in mind. And then sometimes in a message like that, I'll say for efficiency sake, I recorded a quick video for you chatting about some of the ways we can work together this way.

Lucy Bedewi: You can see if it's a good fit or not without having to hop on a call. So as you can see, we're really bleeding into the next step given asset. So when it comes to giving an asset. I say read the room. Sometimes giving an asset or handing them a PDF might be a little aggressive before they've even said yes to hopping on a call with you or that they're even interested in the thing that you're asking them to do or buy.

Lucy Bedewi: But sometimes it can be helpful to just say, You know what, I'm just going to get to it if you want to poke around so you're not hopping on this call with me blind and people will really appreciate that. One of the things, a past co founder told me that really stuck with me is the power of sending a personalized video because people are not doing it.

Lucy Bedewi: It's quite scary to open up a loom and say hi to that [00:25:00] person's first name and make a really personal video of what you have and what you'd like to collaborate with them or sell them. Because it's quite vulnerable. if you can do that, and if you can take that extra step and that extra time to say, Hey, I don't want to waste your time.

Lucy Bedewi: So I actually made this video for you that I'm going to give you talking about this collaboration, the strategic partnership, this sale that I have in mind, you can see if it feels like a good fit and then, you don't have to get on a call if it doesn't. But if it intrigues you, then we can take that next step.

Lucy Bedewi: I encourage you to try that. If you've never tried that, try it and tell me how it goes, but it has to be personal. It can't just be one video that you're blast sending out to people. It has to address them, it has to address exactly what it is that they might potentially be looking for. And of course you're making assumptions and taking liberties.

Lucy Bedewi: You don't really know them, but it's a great way to say, hey, this is not just a cold pitch. I actually did my research and I'm actually pouring time and energy and investing into [00:26:00] you because I really think this is a good fit. So when it comes to making the ask, I know it can be really tricky to just come out and say it.

Lucy Bedewi: You're probably wondering, well, how do I even pivot the conversation from talking about someone's matcha latte or dog to asking them for something? And there's a few lines that I'll use to soften the ask piece that you can use. I'm always a big fan of just being direct, but if you're really struggling here, here are some things you can take note of.

Lucy Bedewi: I know this is forward, but I want to use both our time wisely. It's a really good process comment that you're making. Process comments are great because you're admitting that this pitch is quite cold and it's going to come out of left field, so hey! But, When you can say something like, I know this is forward, but I want to use both our time wisely.

Lucy Bedewi: That's a great segue into making your ask or also including your asset. another line you can use is to be direct. People love direct people, especially in business. So you can say to be direct. [00:27:00] And then the last one, real quick, to float something by you. This one's a lot more casual. I'll often send this one if I want a strategic partnership or a collaboration with somebody, and I'm pretty confident that I can add a lot of value to them.

Lucy Bedewi: I will use this casual one because of the context. So just be mindful of where you're sending it. there's a power structure between you and the person you're making the ask to, if you guys are a little bit more parallel, then you can get more casual and just spit it out. But if you are making an ask to someone who maybe doesn't know you, or you can just sense that you're kind of, for lack of a better word, like punching up here, which is great.

Lucy Bedewi: We love a good hail Mary cold pitch. then you might not want to use something as casual, but at the end of the day, the best thing to do is just ask for what you want from the get go. No one wants. To waste their time and you don't want to take this roundabout way of getting someone into your world or Warming them up only to get a rejection or them being like, oh man they are asking questions about my life only to pitch me because that just feels [00:28:00] so Gross and it feels way less gross when you can just get to it And then the last one is take rejection gracefully Sometimes it's a no sometimes it's a straight.

Lucy Bedewi: No, and you know when it's a no and when that happens just accept it You But sometimes it's an objection, and when it's an objection, I encourage you to validate it first things first. Maybe make a downsell and then put the ball in their court. for some tangible examples, let's say we're going to go back to my lip gloss example.

Lucy Bedewi: Let's say they say something like, oh, we're not really looking for those services right now, but thanks for reaching out. Awesome. I'll say something like, sounds good. Really appreciate you getting back to me. If you ever change your mind, I'm just going to leave my service guide right here. I give them an asset.

Lucy Bedewi: Maybe they say something like, this is really good if you're trying to ask someone for mentorship or you have some questions about, how they built their business or how they got into a store that you want to get into. They might say something like, I'm too busy to hop on a call. And then that's [00:29:00] your opportunity to be like, yep, totally get it.

Lucy Bedewi: And you can make a downsell. it's not technically a downsell, but the downsell would be. I have just a couple of burning questions that I'd love to email over, but I'll leave that up to you if you have the capacity. If you do, feel free to drop me your email and I'll send them over. So that's if you're talking to someone on LinkedIn, you make the ask about, Hey, can we hop on a virtual coffee?

Lucy Bedewi: I just have a few questions. Then they're like, no, I don't have the time. Say can I voice note them over, or is there any way I could send them just a couple of the burning ones, or my priority questions? you can always give it a go, and then if they ghost you, but sometimes, if someone says they don't want to hop on a call, it really is just that's not the medium that they give to strangers, and you can absolutely respect that without completely giving up on what it is that you want.

Lucy Bedewi: And then sometimes it's a price objection, especially if you're in sales. they'll always tell you in sales, it's never the price, it's the value. But if price is what they're saying, price is what needs to be validated. So if someone says, Hey, I would love to work with you, but [00:30:00] we just don't have the budget for that right now.

Lucy Bedewi: I'll just say okay, no worries. And I might drop a link to some more economical solutions that could still solve their problem. Knowing full well that if they got into my world at this level, they will want to upgrade. So it's a matter of. Moving forward without being so forward and pushy that now you're completely turning that person off from ever wanting to interact with you again.

Lucy Bedewi: And then also when they say no, let's say you didn't give them an asset. Let's just say you sent a DM or you sent to them an email. This is a really good time to send them the asset. So maybe they said, Hey, I'm not really interested in hopping in a call to talk about the strategic partnership that you have in mind.

Lucy Bedewi: I just don't have the capacity. And I also, I don't really know if it's right for me or, whatever they say. You can be like, yeah, totally get it. I have this idea really clear in my head. So I created a video just to get it out of my head and into the universe. I'm gonna drop this video for you here.

Lucy Bedewi: No pressure whether you want to take a peek at it or pick it up at a later time. [00:31:00] But I created this specifically with your business and my business in mind. It's a personalized video. I'm not sending it out to a lot of people. and I think it's a really strong idea, but definitely would want to hear your thoughts if you ever have the capacity, to send those over to me.

Lucy Bedewi: So it's just a matter of giving them as much information as possible, but still being really targeted and concise about what it is that you're looking for, what you think you can give to them. And then of course, having that empathy and. Realizing that you are the one making the ask, so putting the ball in their court when you have to, so it doesn't come across as pushy.

Lucy Bedewi: How we feeling? Are you thinking about a certain thing in your life that you're now feeling more empowered to go make that ask? Or are you just holding on to this episode when you inevitably know you're going to have to go make an ask and you're feeling a little bit nervous to do so? Please let me know where you are in this journey, especially if you're starting a new company, trying to get beta users, trying to get people on your podcast, trying to get PR features, wherever you [00:32:00] are in your business journey, you're going to have to make so many asks and the asks only get bigger and bigger.

Lucy Bedewi: So this is one of those skills that if you can develop, it'll be the gift that keeps on giving. So please always slide into my DMs. If you have anything you want to tell me in terms of takeaways that you got from this episode or big asks that you're about to make that this episode empowered you to go do.

Lucy Bedewi: My Instagram is @lucy.bedewi come say hello. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or a rating. It really helps the channel. The show has grown, and I'm so excited to bring you more episodes on these topics that will help you sell and get out of your head and into your stretchiest goals, because that is why we're here.

Lucy Bedewi: Have a great rest of your day.