image courtesy of Don Hankins from Flickr
Please excuse me while I take a step away from parenting, Daddy stories, product reviews, and giveaways. In all actuality, it is my blog and my space so I can really write about whatever I want. Most of the time I sway away from being negative or complaining about something. If you don’t want to read my thoughts, come back tomorrow there will be something more relevant to those topics then.
I had a couple of things happen today that inspired this post. We can really call this entry more of a revelation than anything else. The reason I don’t make money off blogging or “social media consulting” is because I am an idiot! Let me tell you how.
1. I Give It All Away For Free: Be it an idea or ad placement on my blog, if I belie in what you are selling I give you the idea or space for free. This was really brought to my attention during an event, I attended. There were some people asking for help with social media and I gave away all my ideas to them. I later found out that they asked a couple other people. These other people gave them a fraction of what I did and told them for more they charge a consulting fee. Here’s the kicker, the company paid those people a fee.
Same goes for those ads over there. I gave that space to those people because I believe in their product or service. I found out that others charge a price for that space. Sure the Thesis theme button over there is a affiliate link and has the potential to make money but A) everyone has got one and b) I blog about blogging so unless you decide that you want to buy Thesis and drop some money in my pocket then its wasting space too.
2. I volunteer: I am the first to say I can do that. In fact, I under promise and over deliver on most things. Where others ask, “How much?” with their hand out. I say, “Sure, would love to.” I give it no thought about monetizing or trying to make a dime for my time or effort. Just today, I volunteered for something that is someone else is going to get paid for organizing. I am going to do some work for them, they are going to benefit and I am not going to make a dime.
In the process, I end up hurting those who are treating this like a business because I am under cutting their prices being free. Since I am free, most companies don’t see me as a value. There is the whole argument of perceived value. If you are charging for it, it must be worth something. If you are giving it away for free no reason to pay it any attention.
My dream and goal is to make all this into a career or at least make some residual income of it. I would love to get paid to consult or even get a job to do this for someone full time. I am not unhappy in my current place of employment. I just want more
Why doe this happen? Why do I do this to myself?
Here’s why I think it happens:
1. I believe in Karma: Do good things and good things will happen. I feel in my heart that if I do someone a favor that next time something comes along and they can pick me versus the other person, they will pick me. It doesn’t work that way at all. What happens is they pick the person they paid for and keep working with them.
2. I have horrible self confidence: Most of the time, I don’t think my idea is worth being paid for.
3. My past jobs: I used to work in radio. everything is about barter and getting it for free. Favors are traded daily. At least in promotions, that is the way it worked. I am used not paying for thing and not being paid for them. Don’t get me started on my salary there and how that has effected my current pay.
4. My current job: I work in non profit. Budgets are watched and tight. Righfully so. We are stewards of donor dollars. Why pay for a pen when I can use my own pen from home. That is a simple example but that is how it is.
In Conclusion:
I don’t think it will change and that makes me sad. I will keep doing what I am doing even though I know what I am doing wrong and how to fix it. I know the power of “No” and don’t use it. I know how to ask to be compensated for my time and effort and I don’t.
Thanks for listening to me rant and cry. Now back to the happiness.
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
No Buck, you are moral and ethcial, these peopel out there charging an arm and a leg for infofrmation that a client can get someone where else for free…they will pay for their ways.. The time will come, you will ge tpaid, you will get your compensation and you and I for that matter believe that Karma is the root of all things good and all things evil.
Think back to how much I charged you in the begining when you were asking me questions and I was answeringthem. I've yet teo see Karma come buzzing by my head with ome big dollup of goodness….but Karma is called a Btih for a reason …..it happens whe it happens and you don't get to control that.
YOu keep doing what you know is right for Buck and the time will come for you, one way or another. I know that's easy for me to say especially when Karma has managed to fly in circles around me and not land in my front yard but believe in goodness and goodness will come to you, one way or another!
Ok, I want you to repeat after me, “I am priceless!” Because you are. Just keep believing in what you are doing, while simultaneously believing in yourself, and synergy will happen. Your path will become clear and your future will become brighter. I truly believe that.
SMILE On!
ML
http://www.MissLori.com
http://www.MissLorisCAMPUS.com
Thanks Jerri! Thanks for kind and helpful always.
Thanks!
A) I wish I had gotten to hang out with you more in Vegas. I heard your enthusiasm and optimism is infectious and I see why
B) Do they make a smal version of you, a talking action figure, that I can carry around with me or leave on my desk and go to when I am having these moments. It could have key phrases like You Are Pricelss, You're Future is Bright, and SMILE On!
See another free idea!
You heard this “theme” over and over in panel after panel after session at BlogWorld….if you don't value yourself, no one will.
I'm not saying you need to be a greedy bastard (although, I do believe sometimes it's necessary) — I'm saying if you want this to be a business or income, you have to treat it as such. Would a plumber install your sink and toilet for free, just because he's feeling moral and ethical? No — and I'm not including your cousin the plumber.
Everyone's an expert in something and whatever that something is required lots of hard work and learning to acquire and deserves compensation. Period. Not a raping, just and fair compensation.
I heard the same thing over and over at BWE but charging for something you can Google is not how I work. It stinks that I can't bring myself to do it. I know the whole argument about paying for the convenience of not goggling it but I still can't do it.
Also one of the things I am doing for free can't be goggled, it actually requires work on my part. I have to go somewhere and do a task. the problem is I already said yes and do bring up payment now would seem sleazy to me.
Your comment made my family cackle. I promise, if anyone comes to me & actually wants to create a talking inspirational Miss Lori action figure, I will cut you in!
SMILE On!
ML
No need to cut me in (see doing it again), just send me a couple. I will totally disclose to the FTC that gave them to me too.
You really do all of this for no profit? No offense but I had always assumed your blogging was done to bring in cash to support your family. Otherwise, why all the ads and reviews of complimentary product samples? I pay maybe $20-40 a year in fees to keep my blog running and I haven't had to consider ads at all. I explicitly chose to make my blog not-for-profit to minimize the possible conflicts of interest with my day job.
Am I missing something?
The amazon stores make money sometimes. The ads on the side serve purposes just not money making purposes. The product reviews are great but they don't pay the bills. I wish it made money to support the family but it doesn't, yet.
The blog doesn't conflict with my day job at all.
I think I answered your questions
Hey Buck,
First, thanks for sharing that with us. Its never easy to bare yourself out like that and yet, sometimes that's exactly what we need. You've already seen in the comments and responses before mine that people do value what you do and they appreciate it.
Sometimes it has nothing at all to do with CAN they but instead everything to do with WILL they. Most people that pay someone to mow their lawn CAN… they just don't WANT to and they value their time more that the bills they're giving the person cutting grass. So don't feel bad about sharing the value of your time with them. If they think its a good deal, they'll pay it, if they don't they wont BUT…
In the words of Brogan, don't be “that guy.” Don't turn into the type of person that won't jump your car off in the parking lot unless you pay 'em. You have the right frame of mind and approach. It is exactly how I approach business and it works. You just need to make a few tweaks.
1. Keep doing good things, they Will come back to you!
2. Throw your lack of confidence out the window. I've talked to you Buck, you have great ideas and desire to succeed. You're smart… share that with people.
3. I know first hand how your experiences can influence your perception of the present, but you've got to frame your future in the context of where you want to go, not where you've been. Sure you work for a non-profit right now, but you don't have to treat your future (YOUR consulting work) as a non-profit. (I know, easier said than done. Sorry)
4. Get yourself in a mastermind group immediately. Surround yourself with smart, like minded people that will inspire your future. There are hundreds, thousands, or more of us out here… ready to help.
In fact, here ya go. The group I'm a part of meets most Sunday nights via Skype. You are cordially invited to join us, get to know us, and see if we're a fit. If not, no problem. If we can help, we'd love to. Email me and I'll get you the details.
You are now bouncing up against the wall that turns most potentially pro-bloggers into ex-bloggers. The only difference is that you're not gonna quit!
Sorry that got so long, I just get passionate about helping people make their way. It can be done, its done every day, and you can do it too (Wow, that sounds so Tony Robbins…) Hang in the Buck, that light's not the train… its your coming breakthrough!
@jtrigsby
PS – Rod over at the Success Center posted 8 Ways to Build Relationships and Keep Clients for Life, very appropriate for this discussion. You should check it out!
Sounds good…I took the time to read it so, in my opinion you’re not an “idiot,” which I am sure you know. Anyways, I don’t think there is anything wrong with talking good about something or helping someone without having to be paid for it, especially when no or very little effort has been used. The net is just about time, but after you know it, then copy and pasting code is effortless. Good thing there are sites likeblogger.com and wordpress.com, but even those are a little difficult to get going. Hopefully more people will want to help others, without ulterior motives.
You have to start charging for your ideas because like they say if you dont value them who will. If people thing you are a value they will pay you. It will come. It is a process and a very long one at that. Good Luck!
First thought, it won't change if you don't make it change. You seem like a smart guy and could succeed in doing what you want. You could make a career out of this. You could. Or you could give up. It really is up to you.
I think if you keep at it you can make money and you can do all the things you want. I know how hard it is to undervalue yourself. A lot of the knowledge I have that people will pay for is stuff I don't ever think they would give me money to share. But they will. There is always someone willing to pay for you to teach what you know. You just have to find them and be willing to value your skills and knowledge. That's not to say giving away things for free is bad, but I don't think that is going to always be the way to get what you want.
You are priceless Buck.
Your ideas are awesome and you're approach is perfect. Like Miss Lori said, “I am priceless!” Really believe that and you'll see the opportunities where it's “pay time” and “volunteer time”.
I, like you, give out ideas and consulting to companies I've devloped relationships with, ones I believe in, and ones that believe in me. It's a working relationship I aim to develop and that's how successful business is enterchanged.
I like the Brogan quote above about how you don't want to be the guy who won't jumpstart you in the parking lot unless you pay him.
The way I see it? I've helped lots of bloggers because I believed in them… *cough cough* you. I've done the same with companies and both have returned to me THREE times what I expected out of it.
I'm not a “Pay Me Whore” and I like it that way. It helps me meet the people who make me successful.
OH I TOTALLY want the Miss Lori Action Figure!!
Thanks for the kind words. I would love to join the mastermind call. Send me the info. I like the Will and Can thought, gave me something to think about.
I enjoy helping people. I don't want to be paid for every little thing I do. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words.
Thank man!
Thanks for the insight, I have a lot to think about. Thanks for stopping by
I know we discussed this in Vegas and I don't want to be a pay me whore. I want to help but sometime I feel like my kindness is taken advantage of or I am ignored because I don't charge. There is a thin line
Thanks for the kind words. I would love to join the mastermind call. Send me the info. I like the Will and Can thought, gave me something to think about.
I enjoy helping people. I don't want to be paid for every little thing I do. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words.
Thank man!
Thanks for the insight, I have a lot to think about. Thanks for stopping by
I know we discussed this in Vegas and I don't want to be a pay me whore. I want to help but sometime I feel like my kindness is taken advantage of or I am ignored because I don't charge. There is a thin line