This piece at Marketing Sherpa suggests this year’s perfect Christmas gift might be the gift of marketing for an entrepreneur.
It’s a good idea. But I started thinking.
Am I the only Web-capable writer/Web geek out here who spends what seems like an inordinate amount of time on free gigs?
Years ago, I realized I didn’t necessarily want to overplay my ability to fix computer problems. Or I’d be getting calls (and providing free tech support) all hours of the day or night.
(And yes – I own a pickup truck, and one day realized that I was spending a lot of weekends helping friends move. Now I just toss ‘em the keys.)
I don’t mind helping folks – and foolishly regularly offer to do so – but the number of thinly veiled hints continues to grow as friends grow interested in blogging.
So today’s question is this: Are you recognized as the family/local/regional marketing/writing/tech guru?
And if so, do you feel the walls closing in?
[tags]marketing[/tags]
I’m definitely the local computer whiz for everyone and I have spent WAY too much time fixing other people’s computer problems. I’ve gotten good at looking confused and saying, “Huh. This one’s beyond my meager ability. You better call tech support.”
Underground Productivity Rule #10 – practice that glazed, vacant stare before you need it.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the earlier comment on my website.
What a relief to know that I’m not the only one out there doing work for free! While some of it gives me a feel-good feeling, most of it doesn’t. So I’ve developed my own unwritten rule: I’ll help out a friend/family member/local whoever two times, but on the third call, that person is going to have to buck up!
Yes! I feel your pain. At a certain point you end up having to explain to people what your time is worth, which then usually makes them feel somewhat embarrassed by how much of it they’ve spent without paying you. Definitely a delicate situation.
Of course, if you know a good masseuse or chef with copywriting or marketing needs, the trade off can be quite nice!