Have you stopped to consider the hidden side effects of giving away your services for free? When I started my online business I struggled with the belief that the services I provided were valuable and worth paying for. I don’t know about you but I feel going from employee to business owner requires a lot of mindset work. Don’t get me wrong, I believe there is a time and place for giving away your services for free. However, if the decision is driven by self-doubt that the coaching you provide is not worthy that is another thing. How do you prevent free coaching when you’re unsure about the service you offer?
Be Honest, How Do You View Free?
When you come across a service for free, do you question the value? Is this coach really able to help solve my problem? Or what’s the catch if this is free? Are they trustworthy?
Come on really, examian what you think of free? Take a step back and be honest with yourself, if you're given something for free do you appreciate it or give it much value?
Granted something may unexpectedly surprise and delight you, but more times than not it will be pushed to the side and disgarded.
Based solely on my past experience, when I gave away my services for free, they weren't appreciated. It can be difficult enough to get people to show up for a coaching session, but when it’s a free coaching session, let’s just say I’ve spent time sitting on a Zoom call alone.
Your coaching will be undervalued and underappreciated is a hidden side effect of giving away your services for free.
The Hard Truth Ah-Ha
Hey, I'll admit I did this longer than I should've and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. You see providing my time, energy, and knowledge for free or little to nothing wasn't going to allow me to support my family and give me the freedom to be present for them.
Continuing down this path of fear and self-doubt about charging money for my coaching, wasn't going to allow me to support my family or actually create an impact.
You will limit your ability to create an impact and support your family is a hidden side effect of giving away your services for free.
The Mindset Shift Needed to Prevent Free Coaching
Once I had my hard trust ah-ha, then I finally understood I had to become mindful of giving away my services for free. But that's not all, it pushed me to start to do the mindset work necessary to move from employee thinking to business owner thinking.
Because Friend, not stepping into business owner thinking is a hidden side effect of giving away your services for free.
Should you Ever Work For Free?
Should you ever work for free? Now, I know what you are thinking how do I gain experience and confidence in my services if I don't work for free? What most service providers don't realize when they start out, it doesn't always have to be an exchange of money.
Okay, now some are not a fan of swapping services with other service providers. In the beginning, this is exactly what I did to gain experience to give me the confidence to charge for my services.
Another idea is to work for a testimonial to provide social proof of your work. It's a great way to help create raving fans that talk about you and the fabulous service that you provided.
It all boils down to this, time is your most important nonrenewable resource, you need to have something of value traded for your time. Because that is the one thing I can guarantee you'll never get back.
It's important that the exchange feels in alignment with you. It can be a testimonial, a referral, whatever. Stay with me now, you need to get something, otherwise, it will be for nothing. Nothing doesn't keep your business doors open.
This is where new coaches run into trouble when they are gaining experience. They are afraid to ask for something in return, a hidden side effect of giving away their services for free.
You Have To Get Good At Asking
The solution is simple, you have to get good at asking. Friend, if you don't ask, the answer is always no. Not asking will leave you sitting in the world of the unknown, struggling to make ends meet in your online business.
It's okay to ask for something in return even if you're not comfortable with charging money as you gain experience.
Let me clarify for every service you provide for experience, it needs to have a clearly defined agreed-upon in writing exchange. The first time starts at zero, the next time you charge for the service, it can be $10 an hour, then the next time $20 per hour.
All that experience is causing you to become an expert, a specialist at that service.
Clients pay for your experience. They pay for someone that can do it better than they can in less time. That's what you're building up too.
When you step into your power it's a beautiful thing.
When we don't ask, the answer is always no this is a hidden side effect of giving away your services for free.
If you need more on this subject here are a few other great articles that are in alignment with working for free for potential clients.
Should You Ever Work for Free? at Women Who Money https://womenwhomoney.com/work-for-free-exposure-experience/ external_link
The Marketing for Health Coaches Podcast Episode #9 How to Avoid Coaching for Free
One Final Point | Consistent Content Creation
You had to know this one was coming, right? One final point, the content that you create on a consistent basis is your free coaching.
By consistently creating content, you build trust with your ideal clients. All of this free content will increase your visibility, and build relationships with potential clients.
When you consistently provide valuable content, you give your ideal client a sneak peek into your knowledge and how you can help them solve a problem.
You see, if your content is helpful the right people will find you. When you’re consistent this is a gateway to success, so it is essential to make sure it's packed with valuable content.
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Time To Wrap This Up
The journey from employee to business owner mindset is not an easy one, but it is essential for the success and impact of your coaching business.
By being mindful of when and how you offer your services for free, you can prevent the hidden side effects that can undermine your value and limit your ability to create change.
Remember, your time and expertise are valuable resources that deserve to be exchanged for something of worth, whether it's money, testimonials, or referrals.
As you continue to grow and develop your skills, don't be afraid to ask for what you deserve.
And finally, by consistently creating valuable content, you can attract the right clients and build lasting relationships based on trust and expertise. Embrace your role as a content creator and watch your coaching business thrive.
