Arggh I want to help but if I do, I no longer have a business…

Are you familiar with people who need your services, those you set your business up to really help, asking for a freebie because they cannot afford you? Or that they are down on their luck and just need a hand this one time?

I am, and many of my clients are too. In fact I believe anyone in business has been in this situation at least once. They are in business to help after all.

So what do you do?

In the past I would feel bad and do what I could to help them. I would give so much of my time away for free. Feel good for a moment. But that was short lived. I would soon feel bad as I couldn’t contribute to the household or buy something I needed for my business.

Then I stopped helping those who couldn’t afford coaching sessions.  Yet I still felt bad!

I needed to do something to help them but at a low cost to them and me.

That was when I decided to write books, offer workshops and free eBooks. Other people offer online courses, workshops and free eBooks. Some people still give away their service for free, and are unable to buy the things they want so then go around asking everyone else to do the same…

This morning I was faced with a dilemma. Somebody emailed me and said they were broke, deep in debt, and needed my help. They seen I offered a free consultation and wanted it. I really wanted to help but I can only give my time away to people who are serious about working with me and would like to know more. Some people may not want to work with me after the free consultation but that works out for us both. But this person was upfront from the start. They didn’t want to work with me, couldn’t afford it, but they did want a freebie.

I thought about it for a minute then had a meeting of my minds. I replied saying the following:

“I do offer a free consultation for those who have a little money and are seriously thinking of working with me but would just like to know if I am the right person for them. I run a business and therefore cannot afford to give my time for free, however I do want to help which is why I wrote 12 Steps to Improve your Cashflow and Successful Business Minds.

Successful Business Minds is a very useful book currently only available from my website priced at £14.99 plus P&P and it will help you make money in your business and achieve what you really want. https://www.hmcoaching.co.uk/shop/

12 Steps to Improve your Cashflow is available in two ways. Either through Amazon kindle for £1.99 or you can get a free PDF copy from my website and 12 weeks free email support to help you implement each of the steps. https://www.hmcoaching.co.uk/ebook-cashflow/

I wish you all the very best in your ventures and hope you find yourself out of debt soon. Another book I would recommend is Back to the Black by Michael Macmahon. You can find out more here. https://www.hmcoaching.co.uk/book-reviews/book-review-back-to-the-black-by-michael-j-macmahon/

Take care. Hx”

I felt that was the best for me and my business. I was valuing myself and the gift my business is. I have not gained 20+ years of experience and my skills for free. I paid a lot and I studied a lot. I however been very lucky to receive some wonderful gifts in my life and I pay these gifts forward through competitions and random acts of kindness when I can afford it, but I do need to remember I run a business and that business needs to be valued and the services paid for, or it will die.

I hope you have the courage to do the same.

Helen x

If you would you like a copy of our book Successful Business Minds you can order below.

Price £14.99 + P&P (currently only available from our website).