But They’re Family/Friends! Aren’t I SUPPOSED to Give Them a Discount?
Should I give family discounts? Should I give discounts to friends when I’m just starting my new business?
Short answer: No.
When I was getting started in business I was surrounded by people, particularly church people, who were so parsimonious they could make a rabbi blush. These were people of several denominations, which I will not mention because they aren’t all like that.
Discounts for family. Discounts for friends.
“You’re a good Christian, aren’t you?”
They might ask. Are they using God’s name to give or to get?
It’s ultimately up to you whether to give them a discount. You’re just starting your business. The last thing you need is to sell at a loss to the very people who, in a healthy community, would be supporting you.
A great way to test the community you’re in is to sell something your network regularly uses and see who asks for a discount. Also to see who is willing to pay full price or refer business your way. Or maybe it’s a good way to test how trustworthy you are. If the takers swarm you, you must make yourself ugly to them and attractive to givers.
If you want to be generous, do it in secret, for people who actually need help, without them asking for it.
More time to make sales
A good entrepreneur keeps accurate books, and you want to be a good person, don’t you? You should know by now not to fall for that malarkey. But in all seriousness, good bookkeeping helps you save money, maximize deductions, and make better business decisions with accurate reporting. It’s also one of the first things smart business owners outsource to take their time back. In many cases, 80+ hours per year of time savings is on the low end! Schedule a free bookkeeping strategy call with me, and I promise I won’t guilt trip you or ask you for discounts at your place of business.