I have been getting an onslaught of phone consultation requests. I know how my customers regard it – as a method of asking a “couple of quick questions,” but it never turns out that way. What happens is, I call, they go into a long back-story about their business, about their trials and failures, and then eventually … their questions.

After the quick consult is finished, I’ve spent 1-2 hours on the phone answering 1-2 questions that could have been taken care of in 5 minutes via email. I’m not rude. I don’t dislike my customers. In fact, I don’t know many marketers who do what I do – invite my customers to contact me any time about their issues and ask questions for free. I visit lenses, give specific advice about eBook creation – stuff you’d have to pay a mentor to provide for you.

But I feel GUILTY. Should I? When a customer asks me to call them for a few…or a potential customer threatens, “If you want my business, you’ll call.” (oh yes he did), I have started saying No. I turned away business because of the threat to not do business with me unless I called.

With Internet marketing, I believe that many assume the person on the other end has a regular home office – mostly men, while the kids are in school. I’m a work at home mom of 3 kids. I’ve had phone consults where my 3 year old toddler had a meltdown on the phone or ran up and screamed that she “needed to go poopie” – can you feel me when I say it’s kind of embarrassing to have that happen on a professional hone call?

I don’t abhor phone in all situations. I conduct interviews about Squidoo. I just finished one with Mike Antoni of the BOA Method. But it’s scheduled at a time late in the evening when my husband can take over and I can remove myself from the noise.

And no, I won’t ask him to do this every night. He’s worked hard all day, too – he doesn’t want to babysit while I go and talk to customers when an email would work on my schedule just as well.

So if you feel offended that I said no, please don’t take it personally. I’m here. I’m willing to help. But work with me on this. I know it’s a drag to type for some of you, but the only other option is for me to start charging for my phone time. And to tell you the truth, that’s not what I’m all about.

Tiff

PS – I’m not alone. When I asked in the Warrior Forum about this, the overwhelming response was the same as mine! Read it here: http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=199446

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