This post is the first where I am not recommending a specific product or practice. In fact - this post is all about a practice you should not copy.
As a consultant, we have all been told how important it is for us to write and submit articles. Many, many smart consultants have a selection of FREE articles on their website. This not only demonstrates their expertise but gets them some free publicity as well when others ask to reprint these articles. Usually, that is what these articles are there for. If you wish to reprint an article found on a website, all you generally need to do is ask for permission in writing and 99% of the time, the author will gladly let you reprint it as long as you include their byline information. In fact, by asking to use someone's article, you are asking if you can give them free publicity - something most service providers would not refuse.
You may have noticed that I said 99% in the above paragraph. I recently discovered someone in this other 1% that got me to write this rant. This individual preaches how important it it to write articles. He is a good role model in that respect since his website contains hundreds of articles related to his area of expertise (sales training) and others. He also preaches the importance of customer service and he has many articles on this topic as well.
I recently contacted this very well known sales trainer via his website about reprinting one of his articles in a newsletter. I can guarantee that no more than 25 people on this 2000+ subscription list ever heard of this person so there would have been some good exposure to a large group. The first problem is that it took more than a few days to get any response at all from this supposed customer service king and when I did hear back (from his assistant), she told me that there was a - get this - $100 reprint charge for the article (in addition to some reprint request form that had to be submitted). You've got to be kidding me! I am offering to give this guy free publicity for something already easily accessible to the public, and he wants to charge me? I learned that this "sales king" is not only greedy but that in fact, he does not "walk the talk."
My advice to other consultants - continue to write often and when someone offers to give you free publicity, say thank you with a smile.
