Yet I believe there’s something else as well:

You display the arrogance and self confidence of a virtuoso who’s invested thousands of hours to become da*ned good at what she does and knows there are few on the planet in her league (or maybe anywhere close to it ).

If you then decide to share some of your hard-earned knowledge with others at no charge and with no hope or expectation that they will ever become paying clients, then to do so OTHER than on terms of your choice would seem downright daft…
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks

Yet I believe there’s something else as well:

You display the arrogance and self confidence of a virtuoso who’s invested thousands of hours to become da*ned good at what she does and knows there are few on the planet in her league (or maybe anywhere close to it ).

If you then decide to share some of your hard-earned knowledge with others at no charge and with no hope or expectation that they will ever become paying clients, then to do so OTHER than on terms of your choice would seem downright daft…
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks

I like the way that you restrict free advice and I am sure that if you were asked something that you know would take time you would give advice then suggest they talk with you about hiring them for more detailed help.

Having a clearly defined “free” advice is good for a business whether it is by phone or email or a free consultation to define what work can be done and how much.

I like the way that you restrict free advice and I am sure that if you were asked something that you know would take time you would give advice then suggest they talk with you about hiring them for more detailed help.

Having a clearly defined “free” advice is good for a business whether it is by phone or email or a free consultation to define what work can be done and how much.

I have had the problem the other way round though, too. I once negotiated a deal with someone who initially offered services for free. I said I prefered to pay, but suggested an agreement where they fitted work around other commitments and charged me slightly less than the going rate. Then I was quoted a price twice as high as I ended up paying full rate elsewhere.

I have had the problem the other way round though, too. I once negotiated a deal with someone who initially offered services for free. I said I prefered to pay, but suggested an agreement where they fitted work around other commitments and charged me slightly less than the going rate. Then I was quoted a price twice as high as I ended up paying full rate elsewhere.

What I find irritating is when I have been helping someone – let’s say to put their book idea together, or to compose a synopsis for book proposals – and I say “look, to achieve your objective I will have to put several hours of my time into this, so as I explained at the beginning I’m afraid I’ll have to start charging you from here”… they get all huffy and offended. Some even call the whole thing off.

This has happened a few times now. Is it something I’m doing wrong, or is it that some people are just freeloaders?

And the fact that they often ride roughshod over your terms for free advice – as you describe – and ask for it whichever way suits them, at any time of day or night, is even worse.

I have a horrible feeling that our internet culture, where there are millions of books worth of information (not all of it valid, mind you) available for free at the click of a mouse, has encouraged people to assume that information and advice should be available for nothing from consultants and other experts, as well.

It’s sad to see human experience, skill, talent, expertise, knowledge and integrity so grossly devalued in this way.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites