Operating as both a real estate agent and a service provider to other real estate agents, lenders and attorneys, I meet all sorts of people.
Recently I wrote a blog post here titled Then Why The Hell Did You Call Me where I described my first encounter with a potential client who was looking for free advice and assistance from me.
Well there is now more to the story...
After writing that post, I met this person for coffee and to discuss social media strategies and building a new website for him.
We had an hour-long conversation where I went over his current social media practices and some (quite a lot) of suggestions I had for him that would get him more following and more engagement with his audience. We went on to talk about my ideas for his new website and all the ways that it would benefit him and increase his exposure.
I don't think I have mentioned this, but this person is a mortgage broker.
So after I laid out my plan for him and presented all of my ideas, the subject of price obviously comes up. My days of sheepishly fumbling around when it comes time to talk money are long gone. One thing that my short time in car sales taught me... give a full description of the benefits of what I offer, describe them in detail and paint the picture of what life and business will be like with my website and the services I provide as opposed to what business is like right now without them. Then tell him what my service is worth and answer any questions he has.
Well, without missing a beat, this guy suggests that I provide him with social media services and a new website for free and with a wink asked me to imagine how much more likely he would be to send me real estate client referrals if I were to agree to this.....
Are you F$#%ing kidding me?!?!?!?!?
A mortgage broker asking for a thousands of dollars of services for free in return for the promise of referrals...
My response....
I'm Sorry, But There Is No Way I Will Be Doing Business With You
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