Comments on: The Culture of Free and Why it Needs to Change http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:28:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Theresa M. Moore http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1393 Theresa M. Moore Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:41:09 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1393 You are so right! You are where I was several months ago when I blogged about it http://theresammoore.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/free-downloads-will-kill-publishers/. As a self-published author I must balance what I give away with what I want to sell, and too often I have read comments from people who a) don't understand what it costs to create a book [or ebook] and b) are too cheap to buy them. My typical answer is, "if you want a free book, go to your local library." I don't mind giving away free samples. But a baker who gives away too many of his products soon learns that the freeloaders will keep coming until he is driven out of business. That is why people must learn that not everything in life is free. You are so right! You are where I was several months ago when I blogged about it http://theresammoore.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/free-downloads-will-kill-publishers/. As a self-published author I must balance what I give away with what I want to sell, and too often I have read comments from people who a) don’t understand what it costs to create a book [or ebook] and b) are too cheap to buy them. My typical answer is, “if you want a free book, go to your local library.” I don’t mind giving away free samples. But a baker who gives away too many of his products soon learns that the freeloaders will keep coming until he is driven out of business. That is why people must learn that not everything in life is free.

]]> By: Some thoughts on working for free | Michael Di Lauro http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1322 Some thoughts on working for free | Michael Di Lauro Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:43:37 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1322 [...] her blog, Susan Murphy tackles The Culture of Free and offers up compelling thoughts about what needs to change (and why it needs to). Susan makes [...] [...] her blog, Susan Murphy tackles The Culture of Free and offers up compelling thoughts about what needs to change (and why it needs to). Susan makes [...]

]]> By: WTL http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1319 WTL Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:58 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1319 I totally agree with this - but personally have a hard time drawing the line between what I should give away and when I should be charging. One of these days I'll figure it out. Thanks for the post/reminder. I totally agree with this – but personally have a hard time drawing the line between what I should give away and when I should be charging.

One of these days I’ll figure it out. Thanks for the post/reminder.

]]> By: Can We Be Helpful AND Scale? – Suzemuse http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1317 Can We Be Helpful AND Scale? – Suzemuse Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:10:20 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1317 [...] I’ve expressed in my last couple of posts, there’s some disconcerting behaviour happening. I had to air my concerns, because I [...] [...] I’ve expressed in my last couple of posts, there’s some disconcerting behaviour happening. I had to air my concerns, because I [...]

]]> By: The Value of Me « So You Want To Be An Actor? (REDUX) http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1316 The Value of Me « So You Want To Be An Actor? (REDUX) Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:04:26 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1316 [...] of what working for free can mean from the Mission Paradox and a fantastic call-to-arms on the Culture of Free by Suzemuse (it also introduced me to Feedly for which I am incredibly grateful – now if they only made [...] [...] of what working for free can mean from the Mission Paradox and a fantastic call-to-arms on the Culture of Free by Suzemuse (it also introduced me to Feedly for which I am incredibly grateful – now if they only made [...]

]]> By: Suze http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1312 Suze Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:56:34 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1312 Wow - everyone! Thank you so much for all of your comments. I'm thrilled that you're here and that you took the time to be part of this. It's obvious to me that this is a conversation that needs to take place. I believe many people who have been successful in marketing themselves through social media are asking the same question right now - where to draw the line between what one gives for free and what has monetary value attached. I think, based on what I've read here, that the line is really different for everyone. But it's true that as individuals, we need to consider our boundaries and then make it clear where we each stand. I appreciate you all dropping by, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply to each of you individually. (Though, you all have pretty much said it all, brilliantly!) Thank you and I look forward to discussing this more. Wow – everyone! Thank you so much for all of your comments. I’m thrilled that you’re here and that you took the time to be part of this.

It’s obvious to me that this is a conversation that needs to take place. I believe many people who have been successful in marketing themselves through social media are asking the same question right now – where to draw the line between what one gives for free and what has monetary value attached.

I think, based on what I’ve read here, that the line is really different for everyone. But it’s true that as individuals, we need to consider our boundaries and then make it clear where we each stand.

I appreciate you all dropping by, and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to reply to each of you individually. (Though, you all have pretty much said it all, brilliantly!)

Thank you and I look forward to discussing this more.

]]> By: Owen Blevins http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1311 Owen Blevins Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:47:35 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1311 Wow, seems like some fime folks are ready to throw in the towel! I'm a guest on this blog and a bit surprised to hear that you folks are having such a hard time getting paid for your amazing talents. Peter Drucker said, "Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business." All of the folks that have made it rely on those two tride and true functions. Don't shoot the messenger. Innovate and Market... Cretehead Wow, seems like some fime folks are ready to throw in the towel! I’m a guest on this blog and a bit surprised to hear that you folks are having such a hard time getting paid for your amazing talents. Peter Drucker said, “Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.” All of the folks that have made it rely on those two tride and true functions. Don’t shoot the messenger. Innovate and Market…

Cretehead

]]> By: Kneale Mann http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1309 Kneale Mann Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:59:55 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1309 I often say that if you want it for free you have to be willing to give it for free. But all of us have the right to decide when free ends. If there are two people sitting at a coffee shop exchanging free ideas and both are fine with that, order another latte. If it becomes apparent that one is turning the "free exchange of ideas" in to help for their offering then it becomes business. If the person who realizes the other is picking their brain for their betterment and the conversation continues, the fault lies with the person whose brain is being picked - for free. If I told you that the sports store had free bikes this Saturday at 9am, you would line up and feel no guilt for keeping your money in your wallet. As many of us in this ever expanding space continue to explore and learn, meet new people and share ideas, the more the issue of free creeps up like a cloud of regret and concern. We are far more than our offerings. We represent the grand sum total of our life and business experience. And if we feel we're being asked to do free work, we must be careful we aren't doing the same to others. Relationships are not 50-50, they are 100-100 and as soon as the balance is altered, it's up to either side to make a decision to continue. If you are selling paint in a store; you don't let customers take gallons home, paint their bedroom to then decide if it's worth the money. Shorten the ask, keep your intentions clear and walk away when someone is simply picking your brain to help their business without helping yours. If you let it happen, it's accepted behavior and you have no one to blame but yourself. Is that crass? Nope, that's business. I often say that if you want it for free you have to be willing to give it for free.

But all of us have the right to decide when free ends. If there are two people sitting at a coffee shop exchanging free ideas and both are fine with that, order another latte. If it becomes apparent that one is turning the “free exchange of ideas” in to help for their offering then it becomes business.

If the person who realizes the other is picking their brain for their betterment and the conversation continues, the fault lies with the person whose brain is being picked – for free. If I told you that the sports store had free bikes this Saturday at 9am, you would line up and feel no guilt for keeping your money in your wallet.

As many of us in this ever expanding space continue to explore and learn, meet new people and share ideas, the more the issue of free creeps up like a cloud of regret and concern.

We are far more than our offerings. We represent the grand sum total of our life and business experience. And if we feel we’re being asked to do free work, we must be careful we aren’t doing the same to others.

Relationships are not 50-50, they are 100-100 and as soon as the balance is altered, it’s up to either side to make a decision to continue.

If you are selling paint in a store; you don’t let customers take gallons home, paint their bedroom to then decide if it’s worth the money.

Shorten the ask, keep your intentions clear and walk away when someone is simply picking your brain to help their business without helping yours. If you let it happen, it’s accepted behavior and you have no one to blame but yourself.

Is that crass? Nope, that’s business.

]]> By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1308 Julie Walraven | Resume Services Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:44:43 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1308 The free question has been going on for a long time and it seems like people don't realize you have to feed the cats -- or in my case, feed Teddy (and believe me the big German Shepherd eats Alot!) But seriously, I love providing "free" career information on my blog and "free" other information through other ways I communicate but those who read must eventually realize that there is an economic relationship between that free and what we do in our business. Thanks for stepping up to the plate... I applaud you! The free question has been going on for a long time and it seems like people don’t realize you have to feed the cats — or in my case, feed Teddy (and believe me the big German Shepherd eats Alot!) But seriously, I love providing “free” career information on my blog and “free” other information through other ways I communicate but those who read must eventually realize that there is an economic relationship between that free and what we do in our business.

Thanks for stepping up to the plate… I applaud you!

]]> By: Jaimie Field http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/the-culture-of-free-and-why-it-needs-to-change/comment-page-1/#comment-1307 Jaimie Field Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:10:28 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2016#comment-1307 A brilliant post, Suze. I wish I had more to add than what everyone else has said, but I echo all of their replies. Jaimie Field A brilliant post, Suze.

I wish I had more to add than what everyone else has said, but I echo all of their replies.

Jaimie Field

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