Weekly discussion by freelancers and professionals about running a business, finding clients, marketing, and lifestyle related to being a freelancer.
Episode 236: 223 FS How to Handle Being Asked for Freebies
1:00: Topic introduction: When people ask for freebies
- Requests from friends, neighbors, family
4:40: Requests for unpaid consulting
- Sometimes it makes sense to offer this for free
- Can lead to additional marketing opportunities
9:00: Avoiding freebie requests
- Give the impression that you are not available for free services
- Remain approachable, though
12:30: Have some material available for free
- Have a topical index so people can have their questions answered
- Answer questions on a blog, podcast or newsletter
- Offer a book or subscription that is a fraction of your main service
21:00: Using freebie requests and questions to help narrow your market
- Know what content is high-quality for your audience
- Time = Money
23:15: Can freebie requests start a client relationship?
- Could turn into paid work
- Or could be that the potential clients are clueless about how your business works
27:30: How a potential client can show that they value your time
- Offers to pay for a quick conversation
- No presumptions that you have time to deal with random question
28:50: Solutions that can help
- Calendly can help
- Offer a strategy call as an hourly service
33:00: Sometimes you just have to say no
- Choose between your time/ability and being helpful
- Don’t damage your business or your personal life, find a balance
- OPA: Other People’s Agenda
38:30: Wrap up suggestions
- Point to free resources
- Schedule a phone call
- Share your time commitments to discourage them
- Send to another provider (pros and cons)
Picks:
Weapons of Math Destruction (Reuven)
Weapons of Math Destruction podcast on Slate Money (Reuven)
Data Survey (Philip)
The Subjective Theory of Value (Jonathan)
Podcast for Coaching Business (Jonathan)
The Fall of Hades (Chuck)