Some random guy hit me up for free consulting, so I stopped what I was doing and gave him 5 minutes of help on the spot.

But then he kept asking more and more questions.

Eventually, I gave him a magic phrase taught to me by a mentor– ‘You know I do this for a living, right?”

I suggested that he book a consulting slot with me, so we could properly spend time on his issue.

Then he got super offended.

He said he could get free help elsewhere.

Ironically, if you were to ask him if he gave away his products and services, you know how he’d respond.

If you’re a knowledge worker— consultant, agency, or freelancer– don’t feel you are obligated to give away your time for free.

Your best customers are the ones who highly value their own time. Which means they will value yours.

Put your knowledge out there for free in the form of posts, articles, videos, webinars, and books.

But charge appropriately for your time, which doesn’t scale.

And don’t be ashamed to ask for money– any more than a doctor doesn’t give out free surgery and architects won’t design your house for free.

Dennis Yu

Dennis Yu is co-author of the #1 best selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads. He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations. You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel. You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.

Dennis Yu