No matter what phase you are in as a business owner, be it a startup, established, or even just talking about your idea to friends before you submit your legal documents to even get started, you’re going to have people “pick your brain”.
Today we’re going to talk about why this happens – and how you can’t control how people take advantage of your expertise.
We’re also going to talk about how you can respond to those who take what they can get out of you for free.
Why People Want to Pick Your Brain
Sounds invasive, right?
Who cares about someone’s educational background, all people love to learn.
Some people love to learn about big ideas, while most people love to learn about what happened to so-and-so.
Gossip is still a form of learning something new.
There is an agenda behind this. The topic may be juicy that it serves as entertainment – storytelling.
The topic might add value to your life so you can advance in whatever.
The topic most always gives you something new that excites you.
That’s why, in a casual conversation, people get curious.
Let’s say you are starting out a home care business and you are focusing on Alzheimer’s care as your first and most important service.
Obviously, you should know a thing or two about Alzheimer’s disease.
Now let’s say you meet up with an old friend and tell them about your new endeavor.
Turns out, they have been thinking about starting a home care business, too.
They’ll ask you questions like:
How do I get started?
What paperwork do I need to file?
Should I get a brick-and-mortar or start from home?
How many caregivers should I begin with?
Do you think I should just focus on dementia care, too?
For sure, starting any business comes with many questions.
What you’ll find is that your friend will ask all questions possible.
The entire meetup becomes answering them.
A few days have passed and they text you with more questions.
They ask to meet you again and to help them.
This is a friend, so you’re more than likely to help them with no problem.
What happens when a prospective client does this, or anyone you aren’t as closely connected too, yet?
At what point do you charge for your time to educate others?
You can do one or two things:
Schedule Educational Workshops
When people ask you questions, take note of them.
Write them out on a spreadsheet and create a chart to show you which questions or topics are frequently asked for.
You can add a page to your website answering these questions.
Or you can host a workshop once per month around a common.
That depends on whether you like the idea of teaching others.
If you’re in the home care business, being a part of your community is important.
We often recommend this to our clients when they struggle with outreach.
Sometimes the best way to show you’re knowledgeable is to host workshops and teach people for donations or free.
You never know who will become a client.
If you’re the type to be so busy that you need to charge for your time, consider this option:
Offer services as a(n):
Consultant
Mentor
Advisor
A consultant is someone who has expertise and does the work, too.
You’d be more hands-on and assist.
It’s a paid position so you can get extra income by helping other agencies establish (ones that don’t compete with you).
This also goes for business owners in general, as you are a consultant for clients and have the right to charge if people start to take advantage of those free consultations.
Charge only when the person starts asking for work and favors but doesn’t pay you yet.
A mentor is not a position you should charge.
Mentors typically select the person they want to work with.
While mentorees vet out their mentors, they are usually in a position where they desperately need help and will take any mentor they can get.
If you are a mentor, and if your time is precious, and if you don’t charge, then you should be careful who you choose to mentor.
If that friend starts to ask so many questions that it inconveniences your time, switch your perspective to serve as a mentor instead, and begin making time for your friend.
An advisor is a paid position, and you don’t do the work. It’s a combination of consultant and mentor roles.
You give your expertise away for a price.
When you should start charging for your knowledge is up to you.
Everyone has a threshold of when they feel taken advantage of.
Giving away your knowledge to those who truly need help is always an honorable thing.
Still, there are those who don’t get the hint, don’t have the respect, and who will take your “free” time for granted.
If you’re scared to charge, consider being a mentor. But we encourage you to start learning how to set boundaries now, because people will pick your brain for the rest of your life.
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