The True Cost of Wanting Everything for FREE

I'm going to keep this rant short and sweet...well I can try.

I have been in business since 2004...and throughout that time I have had to spend money and you know what happens when I spend money (wisely) I make money! The number of people who want a discounted service, want to attend EVERY free event under the sun (and complain when there are no sandwiches) or would rather pay nothing for business building tools is still worryingly high. Don't get me wrong I love the odd freebie particularly in a social setting, 2 for 1 Happy Hour, a sample of my favourite drink at an exhibition (supermalt or champagne) and even the free odd meal (I write reviews I'm allowed this treat). But to start asking for EVERYTHING to be free in business is a big turn-off in the "Tango" that is commercial interaction. I'm not going to name and shame people nor will I give many examples but I will say one thing for nothing: Stop demanding excessive discounts and excessive complimentary services, it is counter-productive and more often than not the people you surround yourself with are too cheap to buy the product or service that you offer at full price.

If you value your business then value the business of others and be willing to pay. Trust me; abundance flows in every direction! The odd bargain once in a while is fine but to expect a reduce price for everything is pretty ridiculous.

A friend told me about a lady she met at a networking event in central London (Free event) who had travelled in from Kent, that's fine she was keen, after some awkward conversation and upon realising that this Home County lady would not be a lead nor did she warrant a referral my friend politely moved on. At the end of the event the lady walked up to my friend (who had decided to have lunch in the venue...she spent money at a free event, it can happen!) and told my friend that she should reduce her prices and by so doing would allow people like her to afford my friend's services. I cannot repeat my friend's response (it was polite though I would have been tempted to use a different variation of the English language).