The 'free consultation' trap that actually backfired on a client - here's what happened

I had this guy call me up for a website redesign last year, and he insisted on a totally free 2-hour strategy session (you know, to 'see if we're a fit'). I figured why not, so I did it, mapped out his whole SEO plan and content structure. He then tried to take that plan to a cheaper freelancer, but it backfired because the plan needed my specific tools and setup to work. Has anyone else dealt with clients who just want to pick your brain for free like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliviabutler2d agoTop Commenter

My buddy did a free hour long Zoom for some startup founder and the guy literally screen recorded the whole thing to hand to his intern. The intern quit a week later because they couldn't figure out the custom spreadsheet setup my buddy mentioned.

kellyallen2d ago

I get it sounds bad but honestly that's kind of on your buddy for doing free work. You give someone an hour of your time for nothing, you can't really control what they do with it after. Free advice has no strings attached, and a lot of founders are just trying to hustle and cut corners however they can.

quinnperry1d ago

My neighbor once recorded a cooking tutorial from a retired chef and had his roommate try to replicate it, the kitchen smelled weird for days.