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Title:

Drawing the Line Between Free and Paid

Your vote:
Yes No
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:
  1. 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?
  2. What is a service page or rate sheet?
  3. Should I post a service page or rate sheet on my blog or Web site?
  4. Should I name specific prices, or price ranges, or tell customers to contact me and we'll talk?
  5. How can you turn the conversation from a free discussion to a paid consultation without being "that guy?"
  6. How can simple guides and classes help educate do-it-yourselfers on your terms?
  7. What do you need to watch out for in doing those guides and classes?
  8. Is there any limit on how much to give away? ("X" number of hours of freebies a week?)
  9. 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
Type:
Panel
Event:
Interactive 2010
Carla Young
on 17/8/09
Sheila's a great speaker and this sounds like a great idea for a discussion. I like to help people, but I still need to make $$. Sometimes I feel too soft. On the other hand, a lot of what I know now and have achieved is because of the kindness and freebies of others.

Andrea Schulle
on 17/8/09
Love this, Sheila! Benn's article was spot on and you are taking it that next step. I think this is something all freelancers need to consider now. Hum...great topic for FA too.
Elliott Ng
on 17/8/09
Awesome topic and Sheila is an amazing, interesting, passionate speaker that connects with her audience. I know she'll run right into the center of any controversy of this topic and get some passionate discussion going that will help us all evaluate our approach toward free vs. paid. SHE RAWKS!
Tim Walker
on 17/8/09
Looks like a *very* practical panel for freelancers, and I know Sheila will deliver on the premise.
Becky McCray
on 18/8/09
Who doesn't have problems with drawing the line? This issue has had a lot of discussion in articles, but deserves much more attention.
Sheila Scarborough
on 19/8/09
Wow, thanks for all of the supportive comments. Becky McCray and I hope to collaborate on this panel, since we've often bemoaned the "Hey, can I buy you lunch?" questions. They're often quite sincere, of course, but still awkward.

We have some other folks in mind for this panel, but we're still nailing down their availability.
Sarah Page
on 20/8/09
As someone who has tossed around beginning a consulting gig on the side, I would sign up for this panel TODAY. This would be extremely valuable information to beginners as well as those who have been in the biz for a while.
Julie Tereshchuk
on 22/8/09
With an experienced duo like Sheila and Marilyn driving this panel, how can I not vote for this one? Great to have solid discussion about real world issues that professional creatives struggle with every day in both on and offline worlds.
Daniel Honigman
on 25/8/09
This will be a great session for anyone, from someone developing a budding personal brand to a full-on consulting business!
Liz Strauss
on 30/8/09
This is a great session idea. We're all getting asked for a chance to "pick our brains." A cup of coffee doesn't pay the rent. :)
Sheila Scarborough
on 30/8/09
Glad to see that the topic is really resonating!

Becky McCray & I also think that Andy Sernovitz, Denise Wakeman, Jennifer Navarrete and Liz Strauss (hi up there, Liz!) would be great panelists. We're not trying to be vague about participants, but we don't necessarily want to bring a prepackaged speaker deal to the Panel Picker.

Trying to avoid clique-ishness. :)
Paul Walhus
on 30/8/09
Sheila you have a terrific panel idea!
Janice Croze
on 2/9/09
Fantastic panel! I would attend for sure.
blu ray ripper
on 13/11/09
Sounds like it will be a very interactive panel... like the style.
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