How to decline requests for free advise but still being helpful

Chronic Takers – How to Get Them Out of Your Life

I am in a service business, and I get a lot of requests for advice—sometimes for free.

I know that many of my clients in various advisory roles (e.g., a career like me, financial planning, life coaching, etc.) also get asked for free advice.

The natural inclination is to say Yes because many of us got into a service role in the first place because we like to serve and help.

Furthermore, a free, no-obligation conversation sometimes leads to paid work, either directly with that person or with someone they refer to you.

On the other hand, as your business grows, and you get more well-known, these requests for help also grow.

Unchecked, people who ask for free advice can consume your calendar and overwhelm your energy. Therefore, you need a process for deciding what to do for free, how you structure your freebies and when it’s a better move to decline. Ideally, you outline when to say No (or Yes) in advance, so you can be thoughtful when you respond to requests.

Done right, you can say No and still be helpful.