In today’s world it seems like everyone wants your money, but there is an issue that website owners and business people will face that is far more dangerous….
Freeloaders!
A freeloader is basically someone who wants something but isn’t prepared to pay for it. When you get online you will notice that this is a common habit that is spreading like a disease.
The team at Retiredat21.com were recently contacted by a guy who said the following:
“Hi,
I am looking to learn more about buying and selling websites, can I please call you for 10-15 minutes and pick your brain?“
Can you believe this?
I will try this technique on an accountant next time I need some advice 
Seriously though, there are people on our team who make 7 figures per year, at what point did he think we would be happy to spend our days on the phone giving free advice???
Don’t get me wrong, I personally have spent a LOT of time helping people through my blog and via email, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
Value Your Time
The best way to do this is to find a value for your own time. e.g $50 per hour.
Then, if someone asks for 30 mins of your time, you will need to get $25 worth of value in return. So, you could ask for $25, but I would recommend you ask for a mention on their blog, perhaps a text link, or a free copy of their products etc…
If you don’t value your time, nobody else will!
I have a good friend who also lives in Madrid, he wanted an hour of my time to go over some business and marketing ideas.
Now, bear in mind he is a close friend… but the principle has to remain the same. Now, my time is worth a LOT more than $50 per hour, so here is what I did:
I simply asked him to drive down to my house (driving to him would waste more of my time, and him driving to me would show that he was serious), then, I asked him to take myself and my girlfriend to a restaurant, and I would help him during the meal.
This may sound crazy, perhaps even rude. But he really appreciated what I showed him, and he is already making higher profits than ever before.
You Scratch My Back, I will Scratch Yours
The single most common excuse I hear for not charging someone, is that the other person will return the favour some day.
For example:
“Yes, I spent two hours fixing his engine, but he is good with computers, so he will help me some day”
This is nonsense!
Why not charge him $50 to fix his engine, and he can charge you $50 when he fixes your PC? It will work out free in the longterm IF you both do some work.
There are a few other ways you can deal with freeloaders on the Internet:
1) Ignore them
2) Instead of asking for money, ask for a link, a blog mention, a review
There is more to the Internet than just money, so don’t be afraid of swapping time for links, or time for traffic.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Andrew B. Clark // Dec 6, 2007 at 2:39 pm
…and don’t forget family… I’ve got to have the most “user-friendly” family on the planet… But I’m sure they’ll return the favor some day… with a tattoo, a haircut or some advice on taking advantage of Social Security…
Bitter? Naw. I just have a big heart.
Keep Cooking!
Andrew
2 Gyorgy Fekete // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:28 pm
That’s wrong with you americans. It’s all about money. Don’t get me wrong, money is important, but I can’t and will not charge my friends for my time…
3 DeanHunt // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Gyorgy,
We are not American. We are from the UK.
it is not about money, it is more of a pscyhological issue, and a matter of manners.
For example, if you get something for free, you will see it as zero value subconsciously. If you charge then the person will genuinly appreciate it.
Dean
4 Andrew B. Clark // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I wish I could afford to paint with a brush that broad…
American or not - having your talent “commoditized†is an insult.
Value yourself first and the rest will follow.
I’d say that’s more universally understood.
5 Charles Stricklin // Dec 23, 2007 at 9:28 pm
This is all too true. Every so often I’m approached be people asking for help or advice but they’re unwilling to discuss compensation.
I have friends that have recently started sharing their expertise in online courses or premium podcasts, and you’d think they were stealing lollipops from babies! What’s even more odd is instead of exposing their anti-capitalist views, they begin to attack the content-provider whose content had previously been free! Ever hear of a lead-generator people?!
6 Steven Henderson // Dec 27, 2007 at 1:03 am
People sponging advice was the bane of my life as a tax accountant. Doctors have the same problem.
To this day I can’t go out to dinner or the golf course without someone leeching me. It’s a real pain. In the end I divided the world into three:
(a) Friends and Family - (b)Social Acquaintances - (c) Business Contacts
a) Genuine friends and family I help as a gift same as I would help in any other way without counting the cost. But I help them in a structured, dedicated meeting by appointment at my home office - with them bringing all the necessary paperwork to use my time efficiently. I let drop my regular billing rate - and suggest crisply that we get down to work seriously as if the meter was running for real.
My professional time is NEVER free - the formality of the meeting reminds folks that my professional time is valuable and is only gifted to people I care about.
If they offer to pay some token in money or a meal out - I thank them but insist that I won’t accept a quid pro quo for a gift. I ask them not to undermine my pleasure in making a gift without strings to someone I value. Subtext is “I won’t cheapen our service by discounting - it’s pro bono or nothing”.
b) Acquaintances - I tell them that tax law is highly situational - there is no single answer without detailed understanding of the individual’s situation.
I’d suggest they call my secretary for a session of professional counsel by appointment at our company offices. I’d explain that they would then benefit from our professional insurance and I would have ready access to our various specialists and our reference library.
The percentage that call is low, but the ones that do then treat you with respect.
c) Business Contacts
I’ll happily cast a little bread on the water for a contact I like and would be happy to deal or exchange favours with. You do have to give to get - and a little help is the grease that helps the world go round. Just so long as nobody abuses your goodwill its a good thing to help each other.
Steven Henderson, Publisher
http://Min-Tax.com
Tax advice website
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