So I often meet with other lawyers who are solo, and when they're struggling I am very happy to offer any help I can. It pays to have allies in any business, and I am in this business because I like to help entrepreneurs.
Well, today I met with ******. He mentioned that he was struggling, and considering some alternative way to practice. We discussed free consultations. I told him about how I offer 30 minutes free, but I book them for 15 minute slots, and they usually end just as soon. In these meetings I usually give away nothing except to show my value, and to offer flat rates for it, and next steps on moving forward together.
If it's not worth their time to pay me, I love my tire kickers. I make their day, and hope for a referral. Asking them for $100.00 to walk in the door seems insane to me as a business owner.
He said that he charges $100-250 for his consultations, and he said that I must be able to do that because of my volume.
I argued: free consultations are an effort TOWARDS volume. It's like arguing that you can't charge as little as the carwash down the street because he is lucky because he has so much business. Maybe it's because he charges so little?
He said "But, my time is valuable"
I said "**** your time. Talk like that when you have NO free time. This is a business. Get over it.
Thoughts?
