I Am Not a Non-Profit

Posted March 26, 2007 by Margie Zable Fisher

I have been meaning to write this for a long time.

Fair warning — it may irritate some people. But I’m hoping that it helps educate people.

“I am not a non-profit” is what I often want to say to people who ask me for free advice.

Now this is a tricky area for me, as well as many professional service providers.

Here are examples of asking for free advice that I don’t respond well to (others might, just not me):

Contacting me and asking me how to get your book published, to review your press release, to give you publicity tips, etc. (I will be happy to give you my time during a paid consultation)
Contacting me to brainstorm ideas for your business (I will be happy to give you my time during a paid consultation)
Contacting me and saying you want me to do your Public Relations, but you don’t have any money (sorry - I can’t help you - I’m not a non-profit! - or consider buying my DIY PR Kit, which anyone in business should be able to afford)

I feel better now.