You Can Pick My Brain After You Pick Your Payment Method

Hey Agency Owners,

I have a t-shirt that says exactly that.

"You can pick my brain after you pick your payment method."

Bought it after the 47th person asked if they could "pick my brain over coffee."

The Brain-Picker's Playbook

You know the script:

"I'd love to get your thoughts on my marketing strategy..."

"Can I run something by you real quick?"

"Just a quick coffee to discuss my business idea..."

All code for: "Work for free because we talked at a networking event once."

These same people wouldn't ask their plumber for free pipe advice.

Or their lawyer for free legal opinions.

But marketing expertise? That should obviously be complimentary.

The "Value" Trap

Here's where most agency owners screw up.

They think giving away free advice is "providing value."

It's not.

It's training people to not value your expertise.

When you solve someone's problem for free in a 30-minute coffee chat...

You're teaching them your knowledge isn't worth paying for.

The Real Difference

There's a massive difference between giving "value" and giving stuff away for free.

Value creation: Writing helpful newsletters, sharing insights publicly, creating useful content.

Giving stuff away: Custom strategy sessions disguised as "networking."

One builds your reputation and attracts ideal clients.

The other attracts people who will never pay you.

My Favorite Response

When someone asks to "pick my brain":

"I'd be happy to help. My consulting rate is $X. Should we schedule something?"

Watch how fast their "urgent" problem becomes "I'll figure it out myself."

Translation: It wasn't actually urgent. They just wanted free consulting.

The T-Shirt Test

That shirt is basically a qualification device.

Serious people see it and think "Smart boundary-setting."

Time-wasters see it and move on to easier targets.

Perfect filter.

I'd rather have 5 people who respect my expertise enough to pay...

Than 50 people who want free advice they'll never implement anyway.

Your Brain Has Value

After 25+ years in this game, I know what my knowledge is worth.

And it's not the price of a latte.

Your experience solving client problems?

Your insights from building campaigns?

Your ability to spot what's wrong in 10 minutes?

That's not small talk material.

That's billable expertise.

The $10,000 Hammer Story

Reminds me of the old story about the master pipefitter.

Ship's engine was making a terrible clanking noise. They called the best guy in the world.

He shows up, pulls out a stethoscope, listens to several spots on the engine.

Then takes out a rubber mallet and gives one precise tap.

Clanking stops.

Sends them a bill for $10,000.

They're pissed. "Ten grand for hitting it with a hammer?! We want an itemized invoice!"

So he sends them one:

"Hitting pipe with rubber mallet: $3
Knowing where to hit the pipe: $9,997"

That's the difference between what you do and what people think you do.

They see the 10-minute conversation where you solve their problem.

You know the 25 years of experience that told you exactly what to say.

The Bottom Line

Stop giving your brain away for free.

People value what they pay for.

And they ignore what costs them nothing.

Your knowledge is your product.

Price it accordingly.

Protect your brain,
Laura

P.S. That t-shirt has probably saved me 100+ hours of unpaid consulting disguised as "networking." Best $25 I ever spent. Well, except for that Enron shirt.