Comments on: What to say when someone says, “Can I pick your brain?” http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/ Earning my worth my own way Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:19:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sharon http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-6335 Sharon Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:03:18 +0000 http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/#comment-6335 Mikelann, Thank you so much for these suggestions. I do not mind taking the time to explain how a virtual assistant (VA) works, it is a very common question. More often, what I run into is those that want to become a VA and ask me to tell them how to do it. Not easy to explain without much time invested, plus I offer this on a consulting basis. My time is very valuable to me. Your post was very helpful to me. Thank you! Sharon Mikelann,

Thank you so much for these suggestions.

I do not mind taking the time to explain how a virtual assistant (VA) works, it is a very common question.

More often, what I run into is those that want to become a VA and ask me to tell them how to do it. Not easy to explain without much time invested, plus I offer this on a consulting basis. My time is very valuable to me.

Your post was very helpful to me. Thank you!

Sharon

]]> By: Karen Watts http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-2555 Karen Watts Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:55:05 +0000 http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/#comment-2555 I created a short e-book for new consultants addressing this issue--"Everyone wants a FREEBIE". After teaching new entrepreneurs for a decade I find that new consultants and coaches are always fielding the same questions and requests for free help. I wrote the e-book out of my own experiences as well...and what happens when friends realize your time has a market value. I created a short e-book for new consultants addressing this issue–”Everyone wants a FREEBIE”. After teaching new entrepreneurs for a decade I find that new consultants and coaches are always fielding the same questions and requests for free help. I wrote the e-book out of my own experiences as well…and what happens when friends realize your time has a market value.

]]> By: susanne Breul http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-2452 susanne Breul Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:25:10 +0000 http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/#comment-2452 Dear Mikelann, I just LOVE your advice. This is a really tricky one. And though everyone knows the real questions behind - at least me, I asked people myself, without the awareness, why I was doing it. Sometimes I was afraid, I could not afford the service. But also when people asked me for advice, it was always a relief to tell, what it would cost. So they could decide, if they wanted my service. I will try out your answers soon. And I am finally in the position to do so. Sorry, I have to use this comment to say I finally made it into self-employment after years of oscellating between what other people thought is good for me (having a good job with a large company) and what I know is good for my (-: I love to be autonomous, doing lots of different things, having employees and all the rest. Now I really feel like I belong here. Thanks for your support. Susanne Breul, Dipl. Ing. Architect Dear Mikelann,
I just LOVE your advice. This is a really tricky one. And though everyone knows the real questions behind – at least me, I asked people myself, without the awareness, why I was doing it. Sometimes I was afraid, I could not afford the service. But also when people asked me for advice, it was always a relief to tell, what it would cost. So they could decide, if they wanted my service.

I will try out your answers soon. And I am finally in the position to do so.

Sorry, I have to use this comment to say I finally made it into self-employment after years of oscellating between what other people thought is good for me (having a good job with a large company) and what I know is good for my (-: I love to be autonomous, doing lots of different things, having employees and all the rest.

Now I really feel like I belong here. Thanks for your support.

Susanne Breul, Dipl. Ing. Architect

]]> By: Bonnie http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-2422 Bonnie Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:56:22 +0000 http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/#comment-2422 Again, you hit a topic right on the head with a very cool hammer. Thank you! Again, you hit a topic right on the head with a very cool hammer. Thank you!

]]> By: Elizabeth M. Johnson http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 Elizabeth M. Johnson Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:06:00 +0000 http://www.womenearning.com/2008/07/21/what-to-say-when-someone-says-%e2%80%9ccan-i-pick-your-brain%e2%80%9d/#comment-1812 I like the answer of offering to send a recent newsletter to the questioner as an answer to this challenge but what if they are already a subscriber? That happens to me more often than a random query. Here's what I do: "Dear So and So, Good question, and it deserves a discussion. I offer situational coaching which can cover (insert topic) or any other related question you might have. Situational Coaching is an hour on the phone, a week of ensuing email and a deck of Confident Women Coaching Cards for $100. I have found that this offering works well for inquiring minds (such as your own!) and past clients who need a jumpstart back on track. If you are interested, please forward on a few date and time options so we can get started. Etc. . ." Those who are serious take me up on it. Those who are simply looking for free help with no intention of paying for anything generally move on. For me, this method allows me to stay in integrity with myself and the value I offer while also modeling this to other women. I like the answer of offering to send a recent newsletter to the questioner as an answer to this challenge but what if they are already a subscriber? That happens to me more often than a random query.

Here’s what I do:
“Dear So and So,
Good question, and it deserves a discussion. I offer situational coaching which can cover (insert topic) or any other related question you might have. Situational Coaching is an hour on the phone, a week of ensuing email and a deck of Confident Women Coaching Cards for $100. I have found that this offering works well for inquiring minds (such as your own!) and past clients who need a jumpstart back on track. If you are interested, please forward on a few date and time options so we can get started. Etc. . .”

Those who are serious take me up on it. Those who are simply looking for free help with no intention of paying for anything generally move on. For me, this method allows me to stay in integrity with myself and the value I offer while also modeling this to other women.

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