You ever meet a “time vampire?”
Dan Kennedy seems to talk about them a lot.
They’re nasty, dangerous things, too.
In fact, I can think of one case where one basically “stole” several thousands smackeroos right out of my pocket.
Here’s what happened:
About 10 years ago, a marketer emailed me about hiring me for some projects. He seemed a decent fellow — well spoken, professional, serious. And he wanted to “chat” for a few minutes about his project to see if I was the right copywriter for ye olde copywriting job.
So we jumped on the phone and I did my thing.
And boy was I on FIRE!
I thought I could sell him by “wowing” him with my brilliance, and giving him my best ideas for his product, advertising and marketing strategies. And at the end of the call… after giving up the “goods” like that… I figured, how could this dude NOT hire me to write his advertising?
Well, guess what?
He didn’t hire me.
I never made a dime from the effort.
And I wasted a lot of time.
That’s when I knew Dan Kennedy’s “time vampires” ARE real.
They DO skim the shadows.
And, if you let them, they WILL sink their teeth into your neck and drink deeply of your ideas, solutions and knowledge without giving you one red cent in return.
But you know what the really bizarre part is?
They look, act and sound “successful” — like serious players, instead of bottom-feeding blood thirsty villains. Which is why the best way to protect yourself from time vampires is the same way people do it in the movies:
Don’t even invite them in!
Just like traditional vampires, time vampires can only attack you if you “invite” them in — which is why I never get on the phone with anyone for free anymore.
I suggest you do the same thing, too.
Protect your time like it’s your life.
And whatever you do… don’t give it away free.
And speaking of time…
Tomorrow’s “Ben Settle Show” talks about what I call time hoes.
What they are.
Why they’re always broke.
And, why no client wants to “wife” them up (i.e. pay them).
It’ll be up tomorrow.
Download past shows here:
Ben Settle
