If you want to increase the visibility of your small business, you need cooperation from other people. And to gain cooperation, you will have to ask people to do things.

And when you ask people for things, sometimes you will get a ‘yes’ and sometimes you will get a ‘no.’

How do you handle that? It’s actually possible to get a ‘no’ and not feel bummed out by it. In fact, you can even see it as a good thing. More on all of this in a minute. But first, here are some ideas of things you can ask others for.

What to Ask For

“Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!” Maya Angelou

• Ask to speak at an event
• Ask to be interviewed
• Ask someone if you can interview them (written, video, podcast)
• Ask someone to partner and promote you
• Ask to guest blog
• Ask someone to introduce you to someone

I ask people if I can do a video interview with them for my blog. A few of the many who have said yes include: David Allen of Getting Things Done, Sara Britton of My New Roots, and Sarah Lacey of ChairmanMe). See these and my other interviews here.

I’ve also asked people to promote my business to their network. The key here is to make it easy for them to do and give them options. Find out more about that in my post, Wish More People Knew About Your Offer? Do This.

5 Ways to Handle ‘No’

1. If You Don’t Ask the Answer is Always No

Not taking any action is going to bring a predictable result. Nothing. This quote pretty much sums it up perfectly.

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Nora Roberts

2. No Now Isn’t Necessarily No Forever

Frequently, timing is an issue. People may be interested but it’s simply not the right time for them to say yes. They may tell you this and if they don’t, you can always ask.

If it is a matter of timing, ask if they’d like for you to get back in touch with them further down the road. If they say yes to that, ask when would be a good time and then put it in your calendar and be sure to make it happen.

3. Every No Brings You Closer to a Yes

Don’t let a ‘no’ make you give up and stop asking. It’s up to you to continue to ask until you find the people who will say yes. Each ‘no’ is moving you closer to a yes. Think about every no as a stepping stone that you walk across moving toward a yes.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” Jim Watkins

4. Sometimes No Leads to a Better Place

If you ask for something obviously you wanted the answer to be yes. And if it is no, even though you can’t see it now, it’s possible that it was the best thing that ever happened. And that there is an even more fruitful opportunity that is right around the corner.

“Rejection is often the universe leading us in a different direction. See rejection as guidance rather than loss.” Gabrielle Bernstein

5. Don’t Take No Personally

I know this is a tough one. And remember, it’s not always about you. For more on this, watch my video Have You Ever Made This Mistake with Your Marketing.

I hope you’re feeling inspired to ask people to cooperate with you in your effort to gain more visibility for your business. And also feeling confident that when you do, if the answer you get is no that you’ll know how to deal with it in a constructive way.

© Stephanie Ward

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com.

What do you ask people for? How do you deal with no? Share your thoughts and questions in the in the comments section. I respond to every single comment.