This internet and information age that we’re living in has created some exciting opportunities. Today, we have access to information, technology, and resources like never before. We live in a hyper-connected time where it’s very easy to communicate and interact with potential customers and possible business partners. While all of this has been good for business, it’s also created challenges.
With the access has come a flood of people who could and will waste your time if you let them. As busy entrepreneurs, our time is one of our most valuable resources. We can’t afford to waste it on what seems important but isn’t. We can’t let anyone else control our schedule and invade our boundaries. It’s smart to watch for the warning signs someone is about to waste your time.
1. They lead with what they want.
You’ve gotten at least a few messages from people on social media or through email who lead with a request. They want you to talk about their business on your networks. They want you to buy from them, even though you know nothing about what they offer. They are asking for something you sell but they want it for free.
When someone’s first interaction with you is about them and something they want, run the other way as fast as you can. This is a glaring sign that your whole relationship will be based on that self-centered entrepreneur. Even if you did something for them, it wouldn’t be enough. Strong business relationships are formed when there’s value added first.
2. They tell you they want to hire you “months from now.”
This kind of interaction is designed to make you think the person will be a future customer. They lead with a statement saying they want to hire you months from now but need information or advice first.
This type of entrepreneur has probably done the same thing with many others before you. If they don’t have the funds to hire you right now, tell you can have a conversation and answer some questions when they are ready to buy. Don’t get suckered into a situation where your precious time is drained by someone promising future business. If they have questions as to the value you provide, they can follow up with your past/current clients or consume your content and assess the value that way.
3. They try to trade, barter or ask for a collaboration before you even know each other.
This goes along with the first warning sign. A stranger or someone you casually know approaches you about ways to get your time and knowledge without any money being exchanged. They offer to barter, trade or collaborate before you know, like or trust them. What they offer might not be valuable to you. In each of these type of situations, you have to use your best judgment. These offers just don’t make sense after you reach a certain level in your entrepreneurial journey.
4. They try to get the advice your clients pay for.
This is very common today. You get social media messages, emails, even calls from people who want the kind of advice your clients pay for. They may ask nicely or they may come at you hard, but they want access to the good stuff just because you’re connected.
These types of requests seldom lead to new business or the right kind of business. Your clients pay you for a reason. Don’t let the freebie chasers waste your time. A connection doesn’t mean unlimited access to you. No one should have that kind of access except the people in your life who you love.
Each of us gets only one life to live. Every entrepreneur only has 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week. How you spend that time affects every area of your life. It’s easy to get sucked into a time wasting situation when you think it could lead to future business — don’t. If someone is ready to buy from you, they won’t make you jump through hoops or waste your time. They will have already made a decision based on other factors. Treat your time with the value and importance that it deserves.
Are you letting people waste your time?
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Companies paid outside consultants $39 billion dollars last year. From the gigs that I’ve done and the CEO’s/COO’s/HR managers/department heads that I’ve talked to, I can tell you the opportunity is crazy good. You can do one-off training for $20K-$100K, license your online courses for $1K-$3K per employee, book high-end coaching for $20K-$100K, and sell comprehensive training programs and temples for $45K-multiple six-figures.
If you don’t know how to get started in the consulting at companies space, I have a Booking Consulting at Companies Masterclass. It will teach you how to get started, how to book your first few gigs, and how to start going international. The class is live and you can get your questions answered. There is also a recording. The class costs $500. The details are here.
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Photo Credit: Flickr/ freestocks.org
This article originally appeared on Entrepreneur.com
Love your content Kimanzi! Thanks for keeping it real. Point #4 is one reason I cut back on the complimentary strategy sessions that are designed to sign up new clients. It works for others, but feels like a waste of time for me. When the potential client didn’t come back and engage me I began to seek answers…Realised I was coaching them for free! Took responsibility and changed how and with who I was sharing what.
I came to the same conclusion, also. If you put out valuable content, that speaks volumes and should help someone understand whether or not they want to hire you.