| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > O/T Off Topic > Topic: Advice wanted - when people request free info |
Topic: Advice wanted - when people request free info
| Author | Message |
| lbdinterest | Posted – 12/16/2007 5:39:29 PM | show profile | email poster Would love some advice. Here's the situation. Once in a while, I offer someone information about health-medical 'stuff'. (I have *lots* of background and a huge collection of research.) Some people expect me to provide them with full explanations, plus reasoning and rationale, for no fee (and no thanks). I think it's a byproduct of all the free information on the internet. My problem is: if I have already provided someone, as a favor, with some information - and now they want ALL of it - how to handle this? If I just never answer again, that's too rude -- what if I ever want some communication with that person again? In some cases, I might. If I say, "pay me" -- how do I say that? Or is there some other way of sidestepping? I find it very difficult to respond when someone says (basically), "Oh and by the way, when you're not too busy, send me all the information that you've collected over the past 5 years.") Ideas? |
| UGoGirl | Posted – 12/16/2007 6:31:46 PM | show profile It's hard to say, not knowing exactly the situation you're describing. Let's say a colleague or even someone you don't know says she (or a friend/partner) has fibromyalgia and suffering a lot. And you say, "well, you might want to consider x, y, and z." This person may come back and say, why, what evidence do you have for that suggestion, etc.? And you come back and say well, I'd love to help out but it would take too much time, but if you pay me to do it I'll get the information to you. If I was that other person, I'd say forget it, you're preying on my illness as a way to make money for yourself. I think you'd be better off just sending a few links to more information or say search for "xxx yyy zzz" in google and see what comes up. Just give them a few clues and let them do their own research. It would be bad karma, in my opinion, to offer advice (especially if unsolicited) then ask to be paid for it. Unless of course you're something like a naturopathic physician, and its clear this is your job. In that case, wouldn't you just make an appointment (in person or over the phone) and make your rates clear up front? |
| lbdinterest | Posted – 12/16/2007 7:35:20 PM | show profile | email poster Thanks for reply; and clarification Thanks very much for your reply. I understand your point - and I've certainly learned, over the years, that people do *not* like unsolicited advice. I realize that I was trying to ask a general question -- the one that you answered -- and hoping I could translate the answer to the specific question that I have in mind. But that won't work, it looks like. The specific situation here: someone posted a proposal at an internet website, hoping to win some money. The proposal essentially said, "Here's a question. If I win the money, I'll work hard and try to answer this question." But the answer is already known -- in a field different than the poster, apparently. I wrote him a note and gave him a general idea of the answer (free). Now he asks that I send him specific, detailed information. Basically, make money for him at no reward for me, or none that is obvious. Nonetheless, I don't want to antagonize him. Some other day, we might be able to work together. So I'm trying to figure out how to not ignore him, and trying to find some polite words to say, "You want details, pay me." |
| writesonwater | Posted – 12/16/2007 7:41:44 PM | show profile I can't quite figure out if your information is something you write in a column or what. I think you can politely provide people with links, (if you feel like it) as a courtesy -- and perhaps offer the service of providing topical briefs for a fee. If they want content for a website or publication, charge accordingly. I have in the past been too generous with providing information to people who were just using me as a source. I'm helpful as I can be without putting worktime into it -- but I'm not a doormat. I have a couple dear friends that I am very generous with help based on my expertise -- but it goes both ways, a mutual backscratching I guess! |
| lbdinterest | Posted – 12/17/2007 4:32:09 AM | show profile | email poster Still looking for input ~ Well . . . in spite of all the spam, I'd still love some advice. I have already provided some very good information. Have now received a request for ALL of it (everything related). I know that I want to say no. Well, what I really want to say is, "I've got just the information you want." Pay me for it. Just don't know how to tactfully make it clear that I don't owe anything. |
| lbdinterest | Posted – 12/17/2007 4:35:28 AM | show profile | email poster Oops, left out a few words Wanted to say: I'd still love some advice. I have already provided this guy with some very good information. Have now received a request for ALL of my information (everything related). The request was very offhand. "When you get time, would just send . . . " I don't know how to off-handedly reply, "Get your own information." |
| writesonwater | Posted – 12/17/2007 6:20:30 AM | show profile I don't know your situation specifically, but I am guessing that if this guy wanted to work with you in a money situation, he'd have talked money by this point. Your research and knowledge and info represents work you have done. If people want access to it, they can pay. You might try saying, "I'm looking forward to working with you and I have the information that can help you. What kind of contract do you have in mind?" I have a question for you -- are you based offshore? If you are and you're responding to one of those low-rate bidding situations, it's as I feared and most professional, experienced writers stay clear of them. |
