Web   

  Home | Submit Article   




Partner sites

Submit articles
Articles Collection
Articles Folder
Articles Network
Network of Articles
Articles Publisher
Free Articles
Collection of articles
Site of articles
Business Articles
Read Articles
Some Articles
Rent Articles
Articles Cabinet
Articles Room
Cool Articles
Articles Achieve
Source Of Articles

Free Advertising Blog
Webmaster Feeds
Cell Phone Resources
Free Lyrics
Cell phone feeds
Online Business
Inspirational Quotes

> Business :: 23 things to say when someone wants to "pick your brain" by Maria Marsala  
Many service business owners these days are "giving away" their business services – and then wonder why people aren't hiring them in droves. In the name of "marketing," business owners are providing way too much information for free. Some shifts in thinking are necessary if these business owners expect to be in business years from now.
Even trained coaches, I believe, do too much pro-bono work. Why? They say that they need to practice, but the bottom line, IMO, is that they don't value their gifts.

What can you say to people who 1) ask outright for free information, or 2) want to "pick your brain"
or 3) just start talking to you about something, and you realize that they're trying to "borrow" your valuable resources without becoming a client? Here are some ideas. Try them on to see which ones "fit"
you best.

23 things to say when someone asks you - a service business owner – for free information!

1.My charge for an initial consultation is "x."
If we turn out to be a good match, and you hire me, I'll apply 1/2 of "x" towards your commitment.

2.I'm happy to give you 5 minutes or less of free
time, however, most issues are more quickly & effectively resolved in an undisturbed session(s).
May we schedule a meeting so I can give you my undivided attention?

3.If someone is very persistent, whip out a
stopwatch & say "For $2 a minute I'd be happy to go into this now. May I start the clock & do you prefer to pay with cash or check?"

4.What I can do is refer you to a free resource
on "_______."

5.I do work with two pro-bono clients, who are in
desperate need financially. I'll take your card and add you to the waiting list.

6.Yes, I do work with clients on "name the
issue." Would you like to set up a consultation?

7.That will cost "x" per hour.

8.There's a lot I can do for you that's similar
to the work I did for "xyz" client. Would you like to get together and build a marketing plan? (And then charge for those services.)

9.Well, I'd love to suggest something; however,
my fees are "xxx" per hour.

10.Are you looking to hire me?

11.Are you looking to hire _____? Well, I'd love
to talk to you about that; my fees are "x" per hour."

12.You may call me for a 15-minute talk, very
focused, on that issue.

13."Well, the answer to that question depends"
and then spend a few minutes explaining some of the options and considerations. For example, I may explain that the best way to identify the "solution" is to work backward from the desired end result and process. That provides a natural lead-in to: "If I were to work with you on this project, here's how we would do it..."

14.Sorry, I can't answer that unless you pay my
fee (or hire me).

15.A complete answer to your question is going to
take more than 15 minutes over the phone. Would you like me to send you a proposal on this?

16.I have really enjoyed talking with you and
would like to help more. May I send you one of my brochures and a rate card?

17.Do you have a time line and/or budget in mind
for solving this problem?

18.Have you looked at cost estimates from others
who would like to help you solve this problem or complete this project?

19.It's not a good time for me to begin a session
right this minute. Would you like to briefly discuss session times and fees?

20.Are you seeking generic free information on
"the topic" or to work with a "your profession here" to address your specific situation? [If I have a free resource, I'll ask for their email address and send it to them.]

21.I provide a general 3-4 sentence overview of
how I would address their concern with them. Then I say that I've found that the sorting of the information available and subsequent application of that information is so specific to each individual that I always recommend hiring a "your profession here" for getting that one project completed.

22.Well what I can offer you on that subject is
an ebook (CD, audio, etc) called ________. I’ll email you the link.

23.Refer them to these "free" or "almost free"
resources:
ØThe library has books/tapes/audios/CD/reference
librarians.
ØTo an outsider, your local SBA and SCORE Offices
"look" free. They're really not "free" either.
Their classes "cost $" and their advice is paid for by all of us as part of our taxes.
ØFind a professional who needs your services and
see about some sort of in-kind exchange or barter.
Again, this isn't totally free, as you do need to report it on your taxes, but in most cases, there isn't any money exchanged.
ØJoin lots of ezines by experts in the area
you're looking to learn about, but do it quickly while they are still free. And know that the 'best of the best' contain ads and affiliate programs, too.

Marcia Yudkin, Marketing Consultant, Speaker and Author says this in Marketing Minute:
http://www.yudkin.com/marksynd.htm
"You can head off a good portion of that from paying clients by settingdown in writing what your fees cover and do not cover. While you don't want to come off as some sort of dictator with a stringent rulebook, it helps to set forth guidelines for a productive relationship. For folks who are not yet clients, feel free to copy what I do. If I can answer a question in five minutes or less, I generally just go ahead and do so. If a question is more complicated than that, I reply, 'I couldn't do justice to your question without a consultation.
My consulting rates are ...' Prevent hassles by making expectations explicit!"

Remember, as a service business owner, part of what you "offer" clients and what they value from you is your knowledge and expertise. It's as much a part of your "services" as any tangible materials you produce. So make sure to treat it as such, and get compensated fairly! When you value your services, others will, too.

==============
With special thanks to members of the CoachU Alumni Helping Alumni List http://www.coachu.com/, Digital Eve Seattle and Freelance Seattle, www.freelance-seattle.net discussion lists for sending me their questions and observations, which contributed greatly to this article.

Author Info:

 

Recent Submitted articles
Suggestions on Website Usability

Website Usability is more than just placing a navigation bar in the right spot and allowing users to search the site. It is an intricate art that not everybody can easily implement. This tip aims to identify some of the key factors that come into play when designing a usable and functional website[ Read Article]

Weaving new techniques for Business Growth

In todays day and age, it’s complete lunacy for businesses to ignore the importance of eMarketing and how it can ultimately benefit their bottom line. Already it’s now 2007 and eMarketing is in full swing, yet it seems there are a lot of organisations that still don’t want to know about it. This b[ Read Article]

Building your Brand Interactively

Welcome to the world of touch screens, mobile phones and online shopping. It seems interacting with businesses via technology is becoming increasingly popular each year and the horizon indicates that this isn’t going to change. Interactive marketing is undoubtedly the future of advertising and is [ Read Article]

E-Commerce in a Nutshell

What is the use of paying hundreds of dollars per week on rent just to sell a few products through a storefront when you can sell everything easily and efficiently online? That is the question a lot of potential small business owners are asking themselves whilst they piece together the intricate d[ Read Article]

Free Web Hosting

Free web hosting is something that appeals to many people. Though it is obviously not right for everyone, free web hosting is suitable for a lot of up and coming web entrepreneurs. Because it is free, there is very little risk when going in with a free web hosting company. The only thing you risk [ Read Article]

Cost Effective Web Hosting Options

For those folks that need some form of web hosting, but they aren’t looking to break the bank in order to get everything, there are some options. You don’t have to be a millionaire to start a website and web hosting doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. If you do some research and look over the various o[ Read Article]

Options in Web Hosting

There are many different options in web hosting that can appeal to the new website owner. Today’s internet offers quite a buyer’s market when it comes to web server hosting. Because of the heavy competition and the many different types of service available, great service is usually readily availabl[ Read Article]

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is an interesting type of web hosting that allows people the ability to use his or her own hard drive space to host websites for other people. Reseller hosting services rarely stand on their own. Usually, they are simply added features from companies that offer other web based ser[ Read Article]

VPS

Virtual private servers, or VPS, are a great way to take one single server computer and let them run many multiple servers. Each of these VPS controlled machines has the ability to run its own operating system and can be full functional. What makes these even better is that each server can be reboo[ Read Article]

Dedicated Servers

Dedicated servers are the most efficient way to host a website on the internet. With dedicated server hosting, webmasters do not have to share their server space with anyone else. The best thing about using a dedicated server is that you have total control and freedom over the things that you do wi[ Read Article]

Post tsunami: Phi Phi revisited two years on

How has the famous Phi Phi island in Thailand recovered from the Tsunami? Thailand based travel writer Andy Burrows went back 18 months later and discovered an undeveloped paradise, much better than it was before. Although living in Thailand for some time, I finally only got to Phi Phi island t[ Read Article]

Hitting the road safely when backpacking across the United Kingdom

An excellent road and rail network and a highly eclectic selection of landscapes and scenery combine with good accommodation infrastructure to provide idyllic conditions for pursuing a nomadic lifestyle. The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) of England and Wales is the most established organisatio[ Read Article]

An easier and cheaper way to book Luton airport parking

When you book airport parking at Luton, you will have three options to consider. You can choose the self park, block park or the meet and greet option. All of the options are simple at Luton as there is only one terminal, ensuring you don’t end up booking a park space in an inappropriate location.[ Read Article]

Safety for outdoor sports and adventure holidays in the UK

Now UK residents and overseas visitors can take advantage of the geographical, topographical, climatic and social variations throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with peace of mind. For adventurers, these differences mean a vast range of outdoor activities. With everything from[ Read Article]

Savings all the way from the departure gate

Holidaymakers these days almost instinctively head straight for the computer for a cut-price trip away, in the same way we would have automatically gone to the travel agent a decade ago. Flights and hotels are the main criteria to arrange for the perfect getaway, but it is also becoming increasingly[ Read Article]

Safety and comfort before you fly

Making it to the airport for a departure time in the middle of the afternoon is fairly easy, especially for those lucky enough to live in the vicinity of a major airport. But what if your flight is early in the morning? Getting to check-in 2 hours before takeoff usually means a very early start, w[ Read Article]

Great daytrips from Orlando - USA

Orlando’s most popular attraction has to be the Walt Disney World Resort, with famous attractions such as the Magic Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach. Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are also some of the area’s biggest attractions. SeaWorld is a th[ Read Article]

Great daytrips from Paphos - Cyprus

Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a wonderful destination; but there is more to the island of Cyprus to be discovered while based in the capital town. From historic sites to beautiful harbours with castles and mountains in between, taking a daytrip from Paphos is the best way to enjoy the s[ Read Article]

A 700 year story – the moated city of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, the capital city of the Province of Chiang Mai, is steeped in history. From its foundation the city has enjoyed both successful and turbulent times. The creation of this moated city can be traced back to the Lanna (million rice fields) Kingdom. A major tourist attraction, lying to [ Read Article]

Parking your car at Exeter Airport

Exeter International Airport (EXT) operates from one comprehensive terminal which provides ten check-in desks, four gates and two luggage claim belts. During the past decade I had to catch numerous of flights from Exeter airport. As a business man I use the facility frequently mainly for busine[ Read Article]

Parking at Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Glasgow airport is positioned eight miles from the city’s downtown area, and the facility handles more than seven million passengers annually. More than 80 worldwide destinations are served by 40 national and international carriers flying out of Glasgow. I can not recall how many times I used t[ Read Article]

Parking at Leeds-Bradford Airport

The Leeds-Bradford Airport (LBA) is positioned approximately 8 miles (13kms) northwest of Leeds and about 7 miles (11kms) north of Bradford. The facility operates direct services all over Great Britain and Europe as well as linking long-haul flights through Paris, Amsterdam and London Heathrow. Le[ Read Article]

Parking at Durham-Tees Valley Airport

By now, after three years of regular travelling out of the Durham airport, I can say I am an experienced (business) flier. Everybody will know that arriving by private car is the most relaxed way of travelling. An important factor is that you should know before you arrive where you want to park an[ Read Article]

Parking at East Midlands Airport

The East Midlands Airport (EMA) is located in central England, 13 miles (21kms) southwest of Nottingham, 11 miles (18kms) southeast of Derby and 19 miles (30.5kms) northwest of Leicester. I’ve been catching business-related flights out of East Midlands airport for years now. Since I first comm[ Read Article]

Tips for cheap parking at Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) is Scotland’s main air hub and is located just eight miles (13kms) west of the city. There is one comprehensive terminal in the airport with arrivals positioned on the ground floor and departures and the majority of the outlets and eateries situated on the fir[ Read Article]

Nanotechnology – Just What the Doctor Orders!

What if you were terminally ill and your doctor informed you that the venom from a snail could save your life? What if the technology was available to produce a non-addictive painkiller that was thousands of times more potent than any morphine based product available today? What if nanotechnolo[ Read Article]

Nanotechnology and the Emphatic Computer

by Tatiana Velitchkov © 2007 People show their emotions in many diverse and specialized ways, some of which a computer can be programmed to detect. By employing nanotechnology, a camera and image analysis software, some computers are able to observe a user's body language and, with proper progra[ Read Article]

Nanotechnology, Genetic Engineering & Robotics – Doomsday or Miracle?

by Tatiana Velitchkov © 2007 Advances in nanotechnology have proven that incredible progress is not only possible today and in the future, it is pretty well inevitable. Fantastic advances in nanotechnologic medical research have resulted in life saving techniques that were unheard of even a deca[ Read Article]

Accept Credit Cards Online Without a Merchant Account

There are two major ways to accept credit cards on your website. The first and most expensive is to have your own merchant account. Not only is this option expensive, it also requires extensive credit checks, lots of paperwork, and usually takes days or weeks before you get approved. Fortunately, [ Read Article]

Dont Get Ripped Off Getting A Merchant Account

Far too many people get ripped off when setting up a merchant account for their online business. The biggest reason is that they don't understand their options and are intimidated by the whole process. Now, armed with the proper knowledge, you don't need to become a victim of this process. You may[ Read Article]


Articles feed

Cancer cells pull off 'Houdini' escape to evade chemotherapy
Scientists have revealed for the first time that cancer cells can reverse a process which irrevocably commits normal cells to die, in a study published in the British Journal of Cancer.


Breast Cancer 'Vaccine' Being Developed By Arkansas Scientists
Breast Cancer 'Vaccine' Being Developed By Arkansas Scientists - The Huffington Post.


LegalTalkNetwork - Breast Cancer Litigation
In October of 2008, the husband of a woman named Genevieve Lupp was awarded over $1.2 million by a jury after a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania radiology group failed to timely diagnose and treat her for breast cancer, which ultimately ...


Cancer Research UK : NICE improves access to life-extending cancer ...
Hilary Jackson, Cancer Research UK's policy manager, said: "This additional guidance from NICE is excellent news for cancer patients. Introducing flexibility into NICE's appraisal system should mean that more life-extending cancer drugs ...


A Private Song of Prostate Cancer - Well Blog - NYTimes.com
Since then, my journal has been a record of my highs, lows and everything in between on the cancer road. I never imagined at the time that these very private thoughts would be made public. At first, I was still trying to figure out how ...


Researchers gain new insight into cancer metastasis
Few things are as tiresome as house hunting and moving. Unfortunately, metastatic cancer cells have the relocation process down pat. Tripping nimbly from one abode to another, these migrating cancer cells often prove far more deadly ...


Discovery of new tumor suppressor for lung cancer
Cancer and cell biology experts at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have identified a new tumor suppressor that may help scientists develop more targeted drug therapies to combat lung cancer.


Unusual tests show promise for detecting cancer - Health and ...
Thomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerDr. Peter Mazzone, a Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist, holds the breathing tube of a device, nicknamed an "electronic nose," that is being tested for its ability to detect lung cancer in exhaled breath. ...


Simple test kit helps prevent lung cancer caused by radon
Using a simple, inexpensive test to detect radon gas seeping into homes could help prevent lung cancer and save thousands of lives, Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said today.


 

 

Acne
Advertising
Advice
Aerobics-Cardio
Affiliate Programs
Alternative
Arts
Attraction
Auctions
Audio-Streaming
Autos
Awards
Babies-Toddler
Beauty
Blogging-RSS
Book-Marketing
Branding
Breast-Cervical-Ovarian-Cancer
Broadband-Internet
Build-Muscle
Business
Cancer
Careers-Employment
Casino-Gambling
CGI
Coaching
Coffee
College-University
Colon-Rectal-Cancer
Communications
Computers
Cooking-Tips
Copywriting
Crafts-Hobbies
Creativity
Credit
Cruising-Sailing
CSS
Currency-Trading
Customer-Service
Dating
Debt-Consolidation
Debt-Relief
DHTML
Diabetes
Direct Mail
Divorce
Domain Names
EBooks
ECommerce
Education
Elder-Care
Email-Marketing
Email Entertainment
Entrepreneurialism
Environment
Exercise
Ezine-Marketing
Ezine-Publishing
Family
Finance
Fishing
Fitness
Food
Free
Games
Gardening
General
Goal-Setting
Golf
Government
Grief-Loss
Hair-Loss
Happiness
Hardware
Health
Hobbies
Holidays
Home-Security
Homes
Home Business
Home Repair
HTML
Humanities
Humor
Innovation
Inspirational
Interior-Decorating
Internet-Marketing
Javascript
Kids And Teens
Landscaping-Gardening
Law
Leadership
Leases-Leasing
Legal
Leukemia
Link Popularity
Loans
Lung-Cancer
Lymphoma-Cancer
Management
Marketing
Marriage-Wedding
Martial-Arts
Medicine
Meditation
Men's-Issues
Metaphysical
MLM
Mobile-Cell-Phone
Mortgage-Refinance
Motivational
Multimedia
Music
Negotiation
Network-Marketing
Networking
News-and-Society
Newsletters
Nutrition
Off-Line Promotion
Online Business
Online Promotion
Organizing
Other
Outdoors
Page Rank
Parenting
Personal-Tech
Pets
Photography
Podcasting
Poetry
Politics
Positive-Attitude
PPC-Advertising
Presentation
Prostate-Cancer
Psychology
Public-Speaking
Publishing
Real-Estate
Recipes
Recreation
Reference
Relationships
Religion
Sales
Sales-Management
Sales-Teleselling
Sales-Training
Satellite-Radio
Satellite-TV
Scams
Science
Security
Self Help
Self Improvement
Sexuality
SE Optimization SE Positioning
SE Tactics
Shopping
Site-Promotion
Site Security
Skin-Cancer
Small-Business
Social Issues
Society
Software
Spam
Spirituality
Sports
Stocks-Mutual-Funds
Strategic-Planning
Stress-Management
Structured-Settlements
Success
Supplements
Taxes
Team-Building
Technology
Teleseminars
Time-Management
Traffic-Building
Traffic Analysis
Travel
Uterine-Cancer
Vacation-Rentals
Video-Conferencing
Video-Streaming
Viral Marketing
VOIP
Web-Development
Webmasters
Web Design
Web Hosting
Weight Loss
Wine-Spirits
Women
Writing
Yoga
 

Copyright © abcarticles.info  2005. All Rights Reserved.