How to Stop Doing Things for Free
In English, it sounds like this: “Alicia, can I buy you a cup of coffee? I’d like to learn more about your business.”
The super smart business translation is: ”Alicia, can I buy you a cup of coffee so I can pick your brain and get some free advice from you?”
Let’s break down what it takes to “do coffee.”
- Shower, get dressed, fix hair, put on makeup (guys – you have it easy)
- Drive to the coffee shop
- Order coffee
- Chit-chat until the brain picking begins
- Drive home
A one-hour coffee is actually a three-hour coffee.
Let me ask you something – How much money could you make in those three hours if you were following up with prospects, marketing your business or scheduling sales meetings? It’s time to set some business boundaries.
Exactly. That’s why I don’t do coffees.
Everything I need to learn about someone I can learn on the phone. And if the person wants to pick my brain for free, I’ll find out sooner on the phone than I will at a coffee meeting.
Change Your Mindset
Every time you say “Yes” to something, you are saying “No” to something else.
For example, I spoke with a blogger this weekend who said she is contacted by brands who want her to review their products for free. Reviewing a product on a blog takes time:
- Using the product
- Taking pictures of the product
- Writing a post about the product
- Setting up the blog post for the most visibility
The brand is benefitting from her hard work in creating a social network, is getting access to her audience and is getting more brand visibility.
She told me that she has a hard time saying “no” because she feels like it’s being rude. I pointed out to her that every minute she spends doing this free work for a brand, is a minute she’s not spending with her son. (Family time is very important to her.)
What are you trading out for free time?
Get Offended
One of my favorite coaches, Adam Urbanski says, “You are worried about offending people who have no intention of paying you? You should be deeply offended that they value your time and expertise so little that they aren’t willing to pay you.” Amen Adam!
What is your profit waster? To what do you need to learn to say “No?” Take a stand. Draw your boundaries and you will make more money in your business.
About Alicia Arenas
So spot on! I to often forget what my time is worth!
Michelle, we all get caught in that trap. Remember that we are sacrificing something in exchange for what we are doing for free can help us put that into perspective. Have a great day!
This is a great post Alicia!
So glad you liked it Melanie. Remembering these lessons will help you get focused and stay focused.
POWERFUL!!
I’m glad you got something out of it. Now it’s time to implement and set boundaries.
Amen !!!!
Drawing boundaries and saying ‘no’ to “profit wasters”<–(love that term) has been a learning curve for me, but the more I do it, the easier it becomes. So empowering!
Alicia, I love how you presented this message. AGREE wholeheartedly with one-hour coffees that turn into three. Even 15 minute 'calls' can turn into 30-60 minute meetings and then the energy depletion/aftermath AFTER the call, regrouping to refocus on client projects … phew, tired just writing about it : )
We must value our time, or else others won't (Love what Adam said, too – when people don't value my time, it actually is offensive.)
Thanks for another 'wow' post, Alicia!
Jacqui
Jacqui, you made a great point. We need to manage our time around phone calls as well. Thank you for the insight!
Had to read this as I had a request for a phone meeting a couple days ago that I haven’t followed up with. It could (should) lead to affiliate income – it’s just hard to know where to draw the line.