A guy just messaged me on Facebook asking me to write a blog post reviewing his idea. I asked him how much the fee would be. He said he had not considered this. He is a long time Facebook friend who barely ever if at all even clicks like or comments on my posts and I had done something for free for him before. Back in the days when i was a dumbass doing a lot of things for a lot of people for free. I suggested he offer his possibility in our Crowdify talent area and pay one of you to do it for him. I checked and it turned out that he had never even logged into the free profile I gave him.
I no longer barely ever do stuff for free. Not for people who expect free and give nothing in return. Neither should you.
Your time, your experience and your energy have value. Never give them away please. People do not even appreciate you for it most of the time. Even go as far as to get paid up front. As an attorney I always did that so why should leveraging my skills, my experience and my network be any different.
I guess the big "jump" is achieving the ability to ask. This is probably the most important life hack you could possibly do. Put your foot down and ask for a little and then keep asking for more. It will probably offend some people but you will quickly learn who truly values you.
Money or at least collaboration are energy. Let`s become meaningful business partners and reap real, tangible rewards together. Free is for dreamers. Get what you deserve in life.
Michael