As a teacher, I like to start with "No". Then, in the next paragraph, I explain why, come with alternatives, etc. This way I clearly and unambiguously communicate the answer, but I also try to be helpful.
Over the years I learned that doing this the other way around, thus starting by being helpful and then saying no, resulted in people seeing wiggle room and started to negotiated with me.
Over the years I learned that doing this the other way around, thus starting by being helpful and then saying no, resulted in people seeing wiggle room and started to negotiated with me.