"Can I Pick Your Brain?"

If you’ve been in business for more than a few months, you’ve probably heard this phrase:

“Can I just pick your brain for a minute?”

It usually comes casually, via direct message, a voice note, or over coffee.

And let’s be honest… It’s flattering. It means people see you as someone who knows their stuff.

But over time, all those brain-picking requests start to drain your time, your energy, and your boundaries.

The good news?

You don’t have to say yes or shut people down.

You can turn that curiosity into a powerful, paid offer that helps others without leaving you depleted.

Why free advice isn’t free

Let’s be clear: giving advice isn’t the issue. It’s the unstructured nature of it that causes problems.

You drop everything to answer someone’s quick question. You give detailed suggestions in the DMs. You hop on a “quick call” that turns into 45 minutes.

These moments interrupt your focus and chip away at your energy. Even worse? They create blurred boundaries between your real clients and your network.

And at the end of the day, the person who asked rarely implements fully because there was no container for your support.

The mindset shift: From helpful to professional

You’re not being unkind by charging for your time. You’re being clear. You’re setting the kind of boundary that helps both sides win.

Turning “pick your brain” requests into a structured service allows you to:

• Provide deeper value
• Show up more focused and prepared
• Weed out non-serious inquiries
• Honor the time and attention you give

And yes, it can even lead to new long-term clients.

How to say it (without sounding salesy) 

You don’t need to go cold and corporate to make this work. Here’s how to respond when someone reaches out with a “quick question”:

“Hey! I’d love to help you with that. I actually offer a focused 60-minute session where we can dive into this and create a plan together. Let me know if you want the link to book.”

Or even:

“That’s a great question. So much to unpack there! I offer paid strategy sessions just for this. Want me to send the details?”

It’s warm, respectful, and confident.

How this builds trust (not pushback)

When you confidently offer a clear, helpful session, you’re not shutting people down. You’re inviting them in. They get a clear next step. You get to show up with your full attention. Everyone wins. And here’s the bonus: People who pay for your advice are far more likely to implement it.

What does a “Pick Your Brain” offer look like?

It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be straightforward and easy to book.

For most service providers, that could be:

• A one-off strategy session
• A Q&A-style consult
• A focused audit call

These kinds of sessions give someone access to your brain, but in a way that’s intentional and time-bound.

Examples: Turning “Pick Your Brain” into a paid service

Still wondering what your offer could look like? Here are three service providers, each using a simple, focused session to get paid for their expertise:

Business strategy coach (That’s us at Business Heroes®)

💬 Power Hour Strategy Session

A 60-minute deep dive using the Business Heroes® Grid framework to:

• Spot critical gaps in your business model
• Clarify your next strategic move
• Simplify your services, marketing, or delivery flow

Includes a prep form, live session via Zoom, and clear action steps. Here's where you can check out our Power Hour offer.

Branding photographer

📷 Visual Brand Audit + Image Strategy Session

A 60-minute session to review a client’s current visual identity (website, headshots, Instagram feed) and uncover where their brand is out of alignment.

• A full audit checklist
• Live feedback and suggestions
• A short list of must-have future photo content

Ideal for creatives prepping for a launch or content refresh.

Bookkeeper for freelancers & creatives

💼 Ask Me Anything: Finance Edition

A 30-minute 1:1 session to get answers to the money questions most creatives avoid:

• “What can I deduct?”
• “Is it time to register a company?”
• “How do I stop feeling behind on taxes?”

Comes with a simple next-step checklist and access to a resource template.

Now it's your turn

You already answer questions.

You already give advice.

Let’s turn it into something intentional and profitable.

The Hybrid Program Workbook will help you map out the offer, format, and delivery flow so your “brain-picking” session becomes something scalable and sustainable.

Grab the Hybrid Program Workbook here

Or join us inside Business Heroes® Academy, where the workbook is included, along with coaching, community, and accountability to help you finally package your magic.