Is it me, or is there a growing trend in people seeking free ideas from those of us in the business? I’m not referring to spec pitches; I’m speaking about a phrase that I hear more and more: “I’d like to pick your brain.” Am I right? Have you been getting the same request?
For whatever reason, in my world, there are more brain pickers out there than ever before. My assistant even has a code for it when people call and ask to meet me for coffee to run something past me: “Another ‘Brain Picker,’ Marc. Want to take the call?” So who are these people, what do they really want? How can we make them pay for what we do for a living?
Brain Pickers come in all shapes and sizes. They are relatives. Friends of relatives. Close friends. Friends of friends. Relatives of clients. Friends of clients. Industry veterans. And industry rookies. Some want an hour of your time. Others just a quick call.
Via:
Do You Work for a Fee, or for Free? | Small Agency Diary – Advertising Age