Is a “no” forever?
Listening to an interview featuring Jeff Deveratt who works in show business – producing, directing, writing, etc. In recent years he has sold a few shows to Netflix. The interviewer asked about how he even got in the door at Netflix.
“Because at heart, I am a sales guy… You get appointments, and you meet with people, and you pitch them…”
Then he revealed this little gem about his approach:
“No means not today. Everybody starts with a no. Everybody starts with a no…But if you take ‘no’ as the definitive answer, then you cannot survive in this business.”
Solid gold. My only edit would be that you won’t be able to survive in any business.
Similar to adding “between the sheets” after reading the fortune in the cookie, add “today” to the end of every rejection.
No, you can’t have the appointment (today).
No, I won’t return your email (today).
No, I won’t take your phone call (today).
No, I won’t buy your stuff (today).
No, I won’t do it the way you want it done (today).
No, I won’t support that project idea (today).
Makes it a little easier. Makes it a little less frightening. Makes it OK to try again in the future. Every “no” becomes written in the sand instead of carved in stone.
So, why not give it a try? Or, don’t. But if you don’t then know that I will try to persuade you again some other time.
