Comments on: 10 Ways to Reply to: ‘Can I pick your brain?’

By: Del Putnam

Del Putnam — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:11:41 +0000

Great post, Tara!

I often quote one of my early mentors who told me, “You can give away things all you want, but never work for free. It devalues your time and your skill.”

I often see early stage consultants who don’t have enough work doing free work to try to “build a relationship” with a potential customer. The opportunity cost is too high though. Who knows what other connections you could have been making if you were out talking to people instead of doing free work.

And once you are well established…well…then your problem is having too much work. …a problem I’d love to have.

By: (Anti) Social Lists 12/20/09 | (Anti) Social Development

(Anti) Social Lists 12/20/09 | (Anti) Social Development — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:02:39 +0000

[...] 10 Ways to Reply to Can I Pick Your Brain – Any freelancer can relate to this article. I frequently get emails that start with, “I just have a quick question.” It rarely is a quick question. I also had someone that wanted me to provide him with free facebook documentation because my article wasn’t detailed enough. Umm … no. [...]

By: Sonja Lovas

Sonja Lovas — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:56:17 +0000

If what you wanted was to be paid for your input, when an individual capable paying asks to pick your brain, I’d listen, ponder, throw them a crumb,and tell them you’ll think about their dilemma and get back to them. Defer and postpone the discussion to a later time, then re-contact, tell them you have a solution and a plan that can help, and ask for the order.

If you never want to work with/for them, then the 10 responses you offered will accomplish that.

By: Realist

Realist — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:25:18 +0000

I’m willing to bet you would allow someone to ‘pick your brain’ if YOU stood to gain materially from it – even if not for cash compensation. Lets say for instance Forbes magazine wanted to ‘pick your brain’ for an article they were writing and would profile you in it. You’d surely be interested then wouldn’t you.

Don’t hold your breath on the call from Forbes.

How much do you think your opinion is worth? $200 you say. Good to know you have so low opinion of your own opinons.

By: SQL Brain Picking | SQLRockstar

SQL Brain Picking | SQLRockstar — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:08:11 +0000

[...] then, almost as if on cue, I saw this article over at HorsePigCow. Clearly the Universe is trying to tell me something here. And I am doing my best to [...]

By: Katheline Jean-Pierre

Katheline Jean-Pierre — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:14:24 +0000

Totally true. So many lost souls think that a lunch will do and that they will extract all the juicy information from there. It is like asking a plumber to work in exchange of some good ol’ meal, or even worse, a coffee. I stopped attending these “let’s-catch-up-and-chit-chat-girl-it’s-been-such-a-long-time-dontcha-think-so” kinda meetings. Pay from day one, or just forget about me.

Funny post, by the way. Way to go!

By: Doug Stewart

Doug Stewart — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:10:29 +0000

Anyone can pick my brain – - because it’s splattered across the web. You’ll find meaty grey matter of mine on my blog. You’ll find light hearted synapses fired on Facebook. My brain is there ripe for the picking. Oh, you want something special? You want something just for you? That’s a different matter all together…

By: Mike Drips

Mike Drips — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:33:27 +0000

I too have been rode hard and put away wet with no $$ to show for my time.

However, next time you are in the Bay Area could you have Tad rake my yard?

Thanks in advance.

Resuming radio silence…

By: Darin Persinger

Darin Persinger — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:53:50 +0000

People are so quick to give up their time for coffee or lunch or whatever. But people would balk if asked, “Could you give me $200?” And aren’t the two questions the same. In fact time once gone is gone. So in a lot of ways, it’s more valuable.

So for everyone on here including Tara – If you are a coach/consultant or speaker…
What is the best way to respond and make it a win/win?

By: Bernadette

Bernadette — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:12:06 +0000

Love this blog post! I good skill to have is to know how to negotiate. I use to SUCK at it. But now that I know about the art of negotiations- when some asks to ‘pick my brain’ I kick into gear with a response of give and take. What’s in it for me? I ask. They respond, I reply- they reply, I reply- bingobango- I win…and they pick away. Win win! Try it.