#358: How to Handle Client Requests to Pick Your Brain

High-Income Business Writing Podcast

Have you ever had a client, prospect—or even an acquaintance—ask to "pick your brain"? At first, it might feel flattering. But after the fourth or fifth time, it starts to feel like a burden. You feel taken advantage of. In this short episode, I talk about how I changed my approach to these requests. Instead of making excuses or feeling resentment, I started charging for “brain picking” sessions—and it completely transformed how I handle these situations. I walk you through how I reframed these requests into a structured offer, how I set the price, and how you can do the same to ensure that clients and prospects value your time and expertise. It doesn’t matter what type of work you do as a solo professional. If you get these requests regularly, this episode will give you practical tips on how to handle them with confidence.