Ever posted something that you weren’t sure would land… and then it exploded in your comments?
That’s exactly what happened when I posted an image on Instagram that simply read:
“Sorry, I’m not doing that for free.”
Over 100 likes and 20+ comments…quickly.
And DMs with “Yes! Thank you for saying this out loud.”
Here’s the thing:
As coaches, service providers, and online entrepreneurs, you’ve probably felt the tug-of-war between generosity and boundaries.
You want to give value. You need to give value (truth time: you’re not growing your online business if you’re not showing up).
But you’ve also got bills to pay. Goals to hit. Clients to serve.
So where’s the line?
How do you share your brilliance without handing out free “pick-your-brain” sessions that drain your energy and blur your business boundaries?
Let’s go there.
First, Let’s Call It What It Is: Not All Value Is Created Equal
There’s a difference between sharing helpful, valuable content that positions you as an expert in your niche (hello, inbound marketing!), versus giving away full-blown, should-be-paid-for coaching sessions in the DMs.
When I posted “Sorry, I’m not doing that for free”, it wasn’t a snarky mic-drop.
It was a boundary.
A bold reminder that free content has a place — and that place is strategic.
Because let me ask you:
➡️ Have you ever felt resentful after answering “just one quick question” that turned into an hour-long consult?
➡️ Do you catch yourself over-explaining in your content, worrying that you’re not giving “enough”?
➡️ Or maybe you’re holding back, fearing that if you give too much away, people won’t need to hire you?
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone.
This is exactly the sweet spot where so many coaches and business owners get stuck.
Why Giving Value For Free Is Not the Same as Giving Away Your Expertise
Here’s what most don’t understand:
Sharing value in your free content is not the same as giving away your paid expertise.It’s building trust. It’s setting the foundation for your future clients to confidently say:
“I already know, like, and trust you — let’s go deeper.”
Let’s zoom out.
Right now, your audience is overwhelmed.
They’re scrolling past endless ads, being cold-DM’d pitches they didn’t ask for, and drowning in noise.
What they crave is real, helpful, relevant information that actually solves a problem.
And your free content? That’s your bridge to them.
This is inbound marketing at its best — and it’s how you build your marketing plan and grow your online business without feeling like you have to chase clients down.
Ask yourself:
✔️ What if you looked at your free content not as a giveaway, but as a preview?
✔️ What if your blog, your Instagram carousel, your email list were “value vaults” that built desire to work with you, rather than drained your energy?
✔️ What if you stopped worrying about “giving too much away” and started focusing on giving the right things away?
The Profitable Truth About Free Value: It Builds Buyers, Not Freebie Seekers
Let’s clear something up:
Your dream clients — the ones you actually want to work with inside your coaching containers or programs — they aren’t just looking for freebies.
They’re looking for leadership.
They want someone who can shortcut their path, give them the roadmap, and help them stop spinning their wheels.
Here’s why giving free value works (especially for relationship-based business marketing strategies):
- It builds trust before the transaction.
When people see you generously show up, they trust that you’ll deliver even more inside your paid offers. - It attracts your perfect-fit clients.
No more spray-and-pray marketing. When you share insights that align with your paid work, you naturally attract the people looking for your exact solutions.
- It fast-tracks your sales process.
Your audience becomes problem-aware, solution-aware, and provider-aware (that’s you!) before they hit your checkout page.
And don’t forget the hidden win: Your free content often does double-duty by validating your offers.
You get immediate feedback. Questions. Engagement.
Just like my Instagram post — 20+ comments of pure market research, handed to me on a silver platter.
But Where’s the Line? (Spoiler: You Set It.)
If you’ve been in my Society or Incubator programs (on my email list or in a free workshop), you know I don’t believe in cookie-cutter answers.
Your boundaries are yours to define.
What feels good, aligned, and sustainable in your marketing plan might not look like anyone else’s.
Here’s the better question to ask:
💡 Is this piece of content helping my audience understand the value of my paid offers — or is it giving away the solution for free?
Another way to think about it:
💡 Does this content create curiosity and trust, or does it solve the entire problem with no next step?
Remember:
>> It’s okay to share the what and the why.
>> Save the how for your paid programs.
That’s exactly what I teach in my programs — we map out your free content to naturally lead into your paid offers, without overwhelm.
Your Free Content Should Be a Natural Next Step (Not a Detour)
Quick gut check:
- Are you posting content aligned with your offers, or are you just filling the feed?
- Does your audience know what you do and how they can work with you?
- Is your content creating clarity — or confusing your audience with too many directions?
One of the biggest mistakes I see is this:
Experts pouring their hearts into content that has nothing to do with their actual services.
You’re not building trust; you’re building confusion.
Your free content is like a runway — and your paid offer is the plane.
You need both to get off the ground.
That’s why I always say: “Build visibility with purpose, not pressure.”
When your content strategy is built with intention, you’re not spinning your wheels. You’re building momentum toward real conversions.
This video was filmed earlier, but the steps still apply — and we expanded it even further in this blog to make it super actionable for you.
(and I know some prefer to watch or listen rather than read so you’re covered!)
Let’s Wrap: Give Value, Keep Boundaries, Build Your Business
Your audience wants value.
But they also respect boundaries.
In fact, showing your boundaries publicly (like I did with my “Sorry, I’m not doing that for free” post) increases your credibility.
They’ll think:
“If she’s this generous for free, imagine what her paid work is like.”
So, go ahead:
- Share the why behind your strategies.
- Give them the what to help them see the opportunity.
- And save the how for your coaching calls and programs.
That’s how you grow your online business.
That’s how you create and follow a smart marketing plan.
That’s how you attract perfect-fit clients who are ready to pay for your expertise.
And that’s exactly what we build inside the Society and the Incubator every day.
