Photo Source: AMC
Last year was definitely a huge change in my career. I left the construction company of over five years and entered into an Internet company going on a year now. I got this job before graduating college, which was more than I could have ever asked for.
I am excited to take this year head on. My only wish is that it is better than last. Originally, I planned to find a position at an advertising agency, but I found Foreclosure.com instead. Working here, I have learned so much about digital marketing, which showed me where in the industry I should be.
This has opened up opportunities for freelancing and networking with some of the most incredible people in the industry. Therefore, this leads me into talking about friends and strangers that request free advice. I get these questions often from people I know and people I do not know.
I have a few questions for the people with more experience under their belt when handling these situations.
- How often are you approached for free information?
- Do you ever give in?
- What happens if it is a close friend?
- What is the most polite way to just say no?
During the holiday break, I started watching Mad Men on Netlix. There is a scene where Conrad “Connie” Hilton invites Donald Draper to his hotel room. Connie asks Don about a print ad and his expert opinion. I love how Don responded to the situation with “this is my profession” and “I don’t think you would be in the presidential suite if you worked for free.” Finally, the video ends where Don goes into his closing pitch.
Since I could not find an embedded version of the video, here is the link to the clip:
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You should always give free advice to friends and family. You should also give an initial amount of free advice to a potential client so he knows you’re a professional. That way he will be willing to pay for your services. It’s the same as taste testing ice cream.
I think its perfectly okay to separate and draw a line between professional and personal life. People who know you asking for free advice should learn to respect those boundaries if they are already not.However, the occasional helping hand; I don;t see a problem with that. For instance, a good friend of mine has helped me tremendously with my business with graphic design whereas I would of not been able to do so starting from the ground up with little assets.With that said, I think it actually strengthened our bond as friends. Of course, there has to be a limit where one is not stepping on the other. In our situation we cross promote each other so it works out.
As The Joker said in The Dark Knight “If you’re good at something why do it for free?”
Think of Ursula from “The Little Mermaid”. There’s always a catch. Poor unfortunate souls.
The best way to say no is with a zinger. Offer ways to improve the product, and then rake him over the coals. Point out flaws in the competition and get trust, then get his money. If that fails…watch “Glengarry Glen Ross”. After that you can sell ice to an Eskimo.
This reminds me of The Vendor Client relationship – in real world situations…..
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY&w=560&h=315%5D