I Charge For My Services As There Are No Free Lunches
“Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always like it the least.” — George Chapman
Image Courtesy: DominiqueVince — Pixabay
“Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.” — Harper Lee
A month ago, I received a query on Instagram and through my website forum. The query was made by a young lass seeking my advice on the first publication that I got my two books published from. She even shared her number without knowing me as a person. As strange as it was for me, someone sharing her number so openly, I had to delete her message from my inbox on Instagram.
She didn’t stop there.
When I received her email, I told her that I don’t give my advice/feedback/suggestions for free. I cannot share my life story with any random woman or man who is approaching me to get guidance on the publishers that I have worked with. The reason is quite simple: what has worked for me, may not work for you. And when it won’t work for you, you won’t spare me from your wrath.
There are many people whom I have earned as a family from Medium. I wouldn’t mind giving them my two cents if they ever approach me. They read me, and have known me for more than four years, so yeah, that kind of bonding and trust factor is there for me to walk some extra miles for them to share my wisdom on publishing books. But, to strangers, I am sorry. I don’t know you. I don’t know the agenda that you are carrying to make me look bad in your story just because I didn’t entertain your query.
This young girl is a writer on Medium and she wrote an article on the experience whereas per her I shouldn’t have asked for the charges that I willingly deserved for my services. I didn’t read a word of her article. She lost my respect when she made fun of my time and expertise. It was her choice not to pay me. I respect that. But she targeted me because I said no to a free lunch. When I was going through a lot of financial issues, I never asked anyone to financially support me. I supported myself mentally and my parents supported me financially.
I have recently added my services to my website now. I will be sharing that link with others if they are seeking my guidance. I helped many domestic violence survivors without charging them a penny and to tell you the truth, not every woman deserved my time. But that’s fine. That’s how we learn. That’s how we get to know from now on what needs to be done. So, yeah, I can say that I have become a professional Domestic Violence Advocate to share my suggestions only when the person taking them is going to do something about those tips else it’s like rotting in the mud with a pig.
Some may find my decision to be extremely rude. That’s on them. I owe nobody an explanation as to why my time is precious. Everybody’s time is precious but those who are just looking for ways to get something out of someone without helping someone else in return are not my kind of people. They don’t even deserve the response from me. I don’t mind getting detested by them. At least I am clear on the face of what I deserve and how things could shape into a professional relationship if you are really looking for that kind of support.
To New Writers My Advice Is…
Anyone who is going to approach you with this kind of mentality that you owe them something, please don’t entertain that person. They will first use you and then discard you. They won’t stop there. They will circulate the stories around you. The power is in your hands to stop their bullishness right there. I was seeking guidance from someone abroad and I even paid him. I didn’t mind paying him. He is one of the best humans that I know now.
So, please, be humble and decent while looking out for the services in this world. It truly depends on the person to whom they want to give their services free of cost. I will be doing that part as well. But I will be super wise in choosing those people as my life lessons suggest to me not to trust everybody that comes my way. I have been conned by someone on Medium as well as she purchased my paintings, paid half of the amount and finally blocked me. Later on, I discovered that she was selling my paintings claiming her own in Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t curse her, but I learned my lesson.
This is the link that I am going to introduce in my author’s bio as well so that nobody gets misled from now on before they approach me.
Online Appointments | Gurpreet Dhariwal
I have learned everything on my own using Google or YouTube videos while coming up with my books, videos, and website. If I can do it, so can you. My services about author mentorship are not just limited to the guidance of publishing as I have kept testimonial and social media marketing tips in it to share and support other debutant writers. Thank you.
“Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.” — Benjamin Franklin
Gurpreet Dhariwal is the author of four books. Her books are available on Amazon, Flipkart, and BlueRose. Connect with Gurpreet at www.gurpreetdhariwal.com. To book one on one session: gurpreetdhariwal.com/online-appointments
The sense of entitlement some people have always astounds me! If someone willingly share words of wisdom, it's well and good. But we don't owe anyone anything. Good that you, my friend, know your worth. :) Lovely article, btw.