<b>Hiding your budget costs you the deal</b>

<b>Hiding your budget costs you the deal</b>

Everyone says: "Don't reveal your budget first — make them name their rate."

Myth. "What are your rates?" forces unpaid labor onto a stranger and signals you might be a tire-kicker, so the good ones don't bother answering. Leading with a number does the opposite: it proves you're real, respects their time, and instantly filters mismatches before either of you invests. Yes, you might "overpay" occasionally — but you'll close ten deals while the secrecy crowd is still trading "it depends" emails. Transparency isn't weakness at the table. It's what gets you to the table.