SXSW 2012 - Drawing the Line Between Free and Paid

Drawing the Line Between Free and Paid
Event	Interactive 2010
Format	Panel
Organizer	Sheila Scarborough – Writer
Description	Is "Give it away, give it away now!" really a good idea? We share our knowledge by blogging and being helpful; it does not pay the bills, but it can indirectly market our services. How to draw the line between giving away free ideas and possibly attracting more paid clients?
Questions Answered	Are there some "rules of thumb" for me to know when it's smart business to let my brain be picked for free, and when it's smart to announce my rate sheet? What is a service page or rate sheet? Should I post a service page or rate sheet on my blog or Web site? Should I name specific prices, or price ranges, or tell customers to contact me and we'll talk? How can you turn the conversation from a free discussion to a paid consultation without being "that guy?" How can simple guides and classes help educate do-it-yourselfers on your terms? What do you need to watch out for in doing those guides and classes? Is there any limit on how much to give away? ("X" number of hours of freebies a week?) Since everyone seems to set their own limits, how do you draw your own line?
Level	Intermediate
Category	Blogging, Branding / Marketing / Publicity, Business / Entrepreneurial / Monetization, User Generated Content

Drawing the Line Between Free and Paid