In a recent LinkedIn post, Jason Feifer explores the shift from offering free advice to charging for his time, detailing a personal experiment that led to a valuable realization about self-worth.
Feifer, an entrepreneur and advisor, shared his initial hesitance to monetize his expertise, noting a personal inclination to help others without immediate financial expectation.
“I used to give advice for free. Then I started charging, and was shocked at the reaction: People paid!”
This unexpected positive response prompted Feifer to re-evaluate his approach. He admitted to feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of demanding payment, describing it initially as feeling “obnoxious.” However, he observed that many of the “pick your brain” requests he fulfilled for free often felt unproductive, leaving him with the impression that some individuals were merely testing the waters rather than seeking genuine, actionable guidance.
The Realization: Valuing Your Time
This observation led to a crucial insight for Feifer: the principle that if one does not assign value to their own time, others are unlikely to do so either. This became the cornerstone of his experiment to monetize his advisory services.
Feifer outlined his new strategy: when a user reached out with a request for advice via direct message, he would respond with a transparent explanation of his policy. He stated:
“I’d love to help. I know this may not be what you’re looking for, but I can only take calls like this for a fee, because my schedule gets overwhelmed otherwise. So this helps me make time for the most impactful conversations.”
According to Feifer, this approach yielded a surprisingly positive outcome. He found that many individuals understood and respected this boundary, opting to pay for his time. Others, while unable to pay, acknowledged and appreciated his transparency. Crucially, Feifer reported that this new policy did not result in negative reactions or expressed dissatisfaction from those who declined to pay.
The Impact of Monetization
Feifer argues that this experiment reinforced a broader principle about professional worth. He encourages others to overcome any apprehension about charging for their expertise, asserting that it can, in fact, enhance how their value is perceived.
Shifting Perceptions
In Feifer’s view, the act of charging for advice serves multiple purposes. It acts as a filter, ensuring that he engages in conversations with individuals who are genuinely committed to their goals and willing to invest in achieving them. This contrasts with the often unfocused nature of free consultations.
Furthermore, as Feifer points out, setting a fee can elevate the perceived quality and importance of the advice being offered. It signals that the advisor’s time and knowledge are valuable commodities, deserving of compensation. This mindset shift, he suggests, benefits both the advisor and the advisee by fostering more intentional and productive interactions.
Feifer concludes his post by inviting those who wish to engage his advisory services to utilize the options available on his profile, reinforcing his commitment to impactful conversations, now underpinned by a clear value exchange.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Jason Feifer on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 2, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →