How would free advise sound?

**jmeijers** · 07-15-2009 08:06 AM

I am thinking of providing a sort of free consultancy for young entrepreneurs, where they can consult me for free for 1 hour via Skype or MSN.

The idea came from the fact that:

a) I enjoy helping people with their concepts in the form of brainstorming
b) I seemed to be able to give good tips to people here and still could type many more tips.

I would have to think of a way to make extra consulting attractive, I don't want to charge my usual price of 150,- EUR an hour.

So my question is; would you consider such a consult for free and would you consider making a donation if the consult were good? Any ideas on how to create another win/win followup consult are also appreciated of course.

**businessman413** · 07-15-2009 04:34 PM

Or instead of them donating, you could just ask for 10% of the money they make, through the help that you give them. You don't even have to ask for a certain percentage. I'm just saying this because people will be morey likely to give you money, if they have the money. And if you feel like you can get people results, then this should be no problem.

It's basically the same concept you had, just different version.

**inle** · 07-17-2009 12:46 AM

I am into consulting too..

I am engaged to boost organizations' sales through sellable business ideas & strategies..
e.g. how to design & turn a simple business card into a workable, sales generating tool for business..

but I quote my price according to project basis..
I am wondering if we can work something together..

**rpermana** · 07-17-2009 01:20 AM

giving free consultation is a good move to increase your number of customers...
people will give your consultancy a try.. since it is nothing to loose for them.

then how do you pay for your time spent?
Easy, give free consultation & offer your article or book or CD for a price...
If they think your advise is good, they might just buy your product.

I have attended a few free seminars in Singapore such as Forex Trading.
At the end of the day, the presenter will ask those who have questions on the forex, please come to him.... then he will start to recommend his product, guide books, software, CD and stuff.... and the best offer is you can come anytime to his office for a free consultation on his forex software (if you bought from him).

Due to his excellent seminar, I am not surprise that audience were actually queuing to get his advise & product offered..

**inle** · 07-17-2009 01:37 AM

great idea..

might work for me too..
I just need to find the right crowd of people I am targettin at..

I work with existing small/medium businesses so it is not a mass market thingy..
beside networking sessions, forums, biz semînars, ads,
are there any channels to explore & reach them?

**rpermana** · 07-17-2009 02:13 AM

internet & blogging..

word of mouth

**inle** · 07-17-2009 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by rpermana

internet & blogging..

word of mouth

thank you..

I am also currently sourcing for business alliances to work together in my home country..
I will need massive reach & awareness at the shortest time..
I figure all this should be up and running by end of this month..

**sdavis2702** · 07-17-2009 03:10 AM

I think it's a good idea as well... I am like you. When I first started building websites, I realized how much I liked giving information. Makes you feel all good inside lol. I still do it with my blog now. I'm just not sure if I could give direct advise to individuals with their own ideas already. Not sure if I am experienced enough for that. I say go for it.... it's unique.

**jonathanfigaro** · 07-17-2009 10:30 AM

I think free advice is that you get what you pay for.
No one is really going to consciously give you free
advice that will change you financial state!

Payment is a must.....an it just facts

**inle** · 07-17-2009 01:17 PM

I reckon that it will be like a sneak preview..
at least an opener..

I am thinking like..
to what extent to give it free..
& to what extent is enough to seduce..

**8bit** · 07-17-2009 01:18 PM

I would definitely seek your help and more than willingly pay you a percentage of the earnings from the business! I have always wished there was a service that I could speak confidentially to a mentor one-on-one so to speak

**Lucas_gm** · 10-07-2009 07:12 PM

For the same reasons I have begun with consulting. I started few years ago doing it for free and spontaneously.
This days I`m planning to sell overseas otsourced services, (hiere the labor is cheeper than US and Europe)

So, I think its a good idea.

greetings
Lucas.-

**Future of Edu** · 10-07-2009 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by jmeijers

I am thinking of providing a sort of free consultancy for young entrepreneurs, where they can consult me for free for 1 hour via Skype or MSN.

The idea came from the fact that:

a) I enjoy helping people with their concepts in the form of brainstorming
b) I seemed to be able to give good tips to people here and still could type many more tips.

I would have to think of a way to make extra consulting attractive, I don't want to charge my usual price of 150,- EUR an hour.

So my question is; would you consider such a consult for free and would you consider making a donation if the consult were good? Any ideas on how to create another win/win followup consult are also appreciated of course.

you charge 150 an hour. Do you have a website or something to look at for your marketing?