Comments on: The Danger of Unpaid Consulting, And One Answer… http://interconnectit.com/83/the-danger-of-unpaid-consulting-and-one-answer/ Tue, 15 May 2012 10:21:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Graham Ellison http://interconnectit.com/83/the-danger-of-unpaid-consulting-and-one-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Graham Ellison Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:19:30 +0000 http://liverpoolwebdesigner.wordpress.com/?p=83#comment-60 Here's the problem with selling your expertise: It's only information. I use the word 'only' advisedly here, because some information can be priceless. But most information can be found for nothing in this source-rich age. I do however agree with your assessment of the situation and with Judith's helpful reply from her husband. Even the money you describe is ludicrously small - especially since I was charging a minimum of £35 per hour for design consulting as long ago as 1987! But information really is no longer as valuable. Even design skills aren't appreciated, since everyone with access to PhotoShop, Illustrator or Corel Draw thinks they're a graphic designer, regardless of their real abilities. The evidence of this is everywhere. It's the same with web design. People think that if they can master Dreamweaver, building a web site is easy. It's not. I'm not sure what the answer is though, except that I largely gave up on seeking clients for this sort of work a long time ago and am now moving onto the stage where I'm hiring! Oh, and clients haven't changed in 21 years! Here’s the problem with selling your expertise: It’s only information. I use the word ‘only’ advisedly here, because some information can be priceless. But most information can be found for nothing in this source-rich age.

I do however agree with your assessment of the situation and with Judith’s helpful reply from her husband. Even the money you describe is ludicrously small – especially since I was charging a minimum of £35 per hour for design consulting as long ago as 1987!

But information really is no longer as valuable. Even design skills aren’t appreciated, since everyone with access to PhotoShop, Illustrator or Corel Draw thinks they’re a graphic designer, regardless of their real abilities. The evidence of this is everywhere.

It’s the same with web design. People think that if they can master Dreamweaver, building a web site is easy. It’s not.

I’m not sure what the answer is though, except that I largely gave up on seeking clients for this sort of work a long time ago and am now moving onto the stage where I’m hiring!

Oh, and clients haven’t changed in 21 years!

]]> By: Judith Hall http://interconnectit.com/83/the-danger-of-unpaid-consulting-and-one-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Judith Hall Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:54:38 +0000 http://liverpoolwebdesigner.wordpress.com/?p=83#comment-61 My husband offered the following pasted below on the basis of his long experience as a freelance journalist as food for thought. -------------- Consultants across many fields face the same dilemma. The answer is simple but you have to “bite the bullet”. Respond to queries about potential projects by (a) indicating you will be delighted to help and (b) offer to immediately follow through with information explaining the services you provide, examples of projects undertaken (if appropriate) and your scale of fees and then (c) deflect all further interrogation about how a project might be designed or implemented by saying “Wait till you get my information package and we can take it from there. It will answer all your questions”. I can assure you this approach works 99% of the time and quickly weeds out time wasters and freeloaders from the genuine client. The problem is that many consultants worry too much about “losing” a potential client if they don’t follow the approach that you currently adopt. The reality is the genuine client will appreciate the ‘professional’ approach. Give it a try! -------------- ...... Enjoyed the blog! My husband offered the following pasted below on the basis of his long experience as a freelance journalist as food for thought.
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Consultants across many fields face the same dilemma. The answer is simple but you have to “bite the bullet”.

Respond to queries about potential projects by (a) indicating you will be delighted to help and (b) offer to immediately follow through with information explaining the services you provide, examples of projects undertaken (if appropriate) and your scale of fees and then (c) deflect all further interrogation about how a project might be designed or implemented by saying “Wait till you get my information package and we can take it from there. It will answer all your questions”.

I can assure you this approach works 99% of the time and quickly weeds out time wasters and freeloaders from the genuine client.

The problem is that many consultants worry too much about “losing” a potential client if they don’t follow the approach that you currently adopt. The reality is the genuine client will appreciate the ‘professional’ approach. Give it a try!
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…… Enjoyed the blog!

]]> By: Waldo http://interconnectit.com/83/the-danger-of-unpaid-consulting-and-one-answer/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Waldo Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:27:52 +0000 http://liverpoolwebdesigner.wordpress.com/?p=83#comment-59 clopinettes, Great read and so true. I have done the same thing many times before. I would be interested to know how you aim to cut down on this time spent or how to recoup your time. clopinettes,

Great read and so true. I have done the same thing many times before. I would be interested to know how you aim to cut down on this time spent or how to recoup your time.

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