The topic of free pitching is nothing new
I asked my plumber, bank manager, dentist and doctor to work for me for free for one week. Each politely declined. Except the plumber who submitted a F/O quote before roaring off up the road in his customised F/O Holden Ute.
So why do we do it? No to free pitching is a great idea… but (isn’t there always a but) you need consensus from an industry that spends it’s time ignoring good business practice in order to win over that elusive new client.
The clue should be in the fact that this is a re-occurring topic that pushes buttons, sells seats and then fades away until it’s paraded out in front of a new audience. All nodding in vigorous agreement.
But here’s the kicker. All it takes is one individual/company to be seduced by that ‘oh so bright and shiny new prospect’ sent to tempt us and the whole premise of free pitching falls apart.
It takes courage to say NO and even more to recognise the value of a good idea. Perhaps when we start to value what we do as an industry then others will see the value in what we have to offer as an industry.
After all. Experience, insight and craft shouldn’t equal free. At least not in my book. And do you know what? Our clients respect us all the more for it.
Daniel Evans