Short YouTube advice clip by Raele Altano giving a three-step framework for declining coffee chats or âpick your brainâ networking requests: (1) express gratitude, (2) clearly decline noting limited capacity, and (3) offer an alternative such as connecting on LinkedIn, making a referral, or sharing paid consulting rates. Includes multiple example scripts and a closing caveat encouraging networking when feasible.
Chapters
What to say when you need to turn down a coffee chat or a pick your brain networking request. I have a simple, warm, yet direct three step framework for you. Express gratitude, articulate your decline, and propose an alternative that works for you. So, for example, thank you so much. I'm so flattered. My calendar is booked for the next few months, but I'd love to connect on LinkedIn instead. Or I really appreciate you thinking of me. I don't have the capacity right now, but I'd be happy to make a connection that would be valuable to you. And if this suggested coffee chat is something you would normally charge for, you can say thanks so much for thinking of me. My coaching or consulting services cover exactly this, and I'd be happy to send you those rates if you're interested in speaking further. And to caveat this, if you want to or have the capacity to have the coffee or networking chat, by all means do it. This is not to discourage you from having these conversations. Networking is important and valuable. But if you're at capacity with your schedule or feel like someone is trying to take advantage of you or your expertise, these are great prompts to set your boundary and propose something that that actually would work for you. Good luck.
