|
Author
|
Topic: To the Smartest People I Have EVER Known
|
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 9682
From: The Goober Galaxy
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 12:42 PM
  
IMHO, I would just do free readings only and limit to just one (so as to help more people and not be taken advantage of by a few) and accept donations all around. You could do more readings with regulars (unadvertised). If you help them, some will donate, and the ones who can't afford to will be paid by the Uni-verse in one way or another. Focus on helping others. The rest will take care of itself. But if you do charge--depending on your method of doing the readings (IM for instance), I would not set a time limit. Some may go for 5 minutes, and some may go for an hour, but as long as you are interacting and helping, you are building a relationship with that person. Some will donate a little (but it may be a lot for them and a struggle to come up with), and a few will donate more. Do you really want to not help those who can't afford it? Be aware that if you charge per minute, you are in the same category as many charlatans. Just sayin'. But that's my take on it. Pay Pal allows you to accept credit cards, so it's the way I would go with. Put a Pay Pal donation button on the site, so people can randomly go in to contribute at a later date after their reading. ------------------
"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 12:45 PM
My heart is a giving one,Randall.God provides me everything *I* need--love,friendship,finances.
I want to have my website with THAT feeling behind it.
I am just trying to work out the particulars to go forward with that philosophy.
------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
TxGirl
Knowflake Posts: 257
From:
Registered: Feb 2011
|
posted March 19, 2011 12:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ami Anne:
If anyone cares to add what THEY would want in someone providing a service like I am.
How would you want to pay? How would you want to chat--text,phone, e mail?
What increments of time should I use in charging?
Please,add ANYTHING that would make you think my contribution would be valuable to you.
Oh oh I'll go first! I'd probably go through paypal cause I know of no better way- haha no other way really. I wouldn't want one online it seems less personal and fake. I'd prefer on the phone or even a voice chat thingy like skype. Some may feel better hidden behind the web though. I'd rather just talk. IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 12:51 PM
Thank you Tx Girl! Please-anyone--write what YOU would find valuable down to the smallest details from someone offering what I am!
------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
snarly
Knowflake Posts: 254
From: u.k
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:03 PM
Ami, I will just put down what I experienced - I used to work as a professional Tarot card reader/medium/psychic, and I used to charge (or rather my boss did) £40 (about $65?) for a twenty minute reading. I got a regular clientele, and they would regularly phone me for more information. We had an in-house rule that stated no more than 3 readings in any 3 month period. I recently offered free readings to folks, and the amount of people that constantly came back wanting more information was incredible. I personally think if you charge for your services, people don't abuse it so much. I know how good I am, but I still feel uncomfortable asking for money, but to offer a service like that for free will inevitably burn you out  IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 9682
From: The Goober Galaxy
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:03 PM
I'd do phone and block your number. But don't rule out international. Maybe IM for them if you don't have a way of talking internationally for free. ------------------
"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:07 PM
Thank you Everyone  I am learning many life lessons,now, that I did not learn at the appropriate time. ------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:12 PM
Thank you ,Snarly ------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:21 PM
The reason I think I am supposed to do readings is I get so much joy and energy from doing them.
------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:25 PM
Thank you Randall ------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
snarly
Knowflake Posts: 254
From: u.k
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Thank you ,Snarly
No need for thanks It really is a minefield out there! IP: Logged |
Anti-Rufilla
Knowflake Posts: 38
From: Dallas
Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 01:57 PM
Ami, for the past year I've been writing a blog where people can write in and request astrological readings. I fill each request, giving each individual querent an hour of my attention. The thought of accepting a fee has never crossed my mind, but I feel like it is my duty and my privilege to help others. I mean, you're reaching across planes and I'm sitting in my bedroom toiling over textbooks and scratch paper. We're doing different things, but giving all of your love to a chart is part of what's fun about being an astrologer. Reading your posts, I am seriously aghast. I mean, it's none of my business, but you're talking about sharing a gift from God, but you refuse to minister to people who can't give you money (people who you eloquently dub "losers") I really do respect you, not just as a medium but as a human being. It's just really disheartening to see an up and coming medium who is pawning off advice from God.
Do what you gotta do girl.
I concede that whether the querent owes a fee is entirely at the discretion of the medium. It is your art and you should do with it what you will. But I've always found that true artists (regardless of the medium/s in which they work) are motivated by the art itself and not by dyed green pieces of paper. Hope this helps, and forgive me for intruding IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 02:02 PM
It is OK, Anti--Ruf
I know some people will feel that.
I am trying to find my own way as you can prolly see.------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 6385
From: Still out looking for Schrodinger's cat.......& LEXIGRAMMING.♥.. is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 03:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Anti-Rufilla:>>>>>>>>>But I've always found that true artists (regardless of the medium/s in which they work) are motivated by the art itself and not by dyed green pieces of paper.<<<<<<<<
LOL!
And henceforth is why I am teetering on the edge of poverty still after thousands upon thousands of readings I have done freely for over 4 decades to date.
My motivation is to help, even though I do desperately need the money.
I have been gifted from time to time via barter mostly.
Most folks cannot pay. They are the ones who do most often need readings the most in my experience.
------------------
~The present time is theirs, but the future is mine.~Nikola Tesla
~There is no box.~H♥
~Balance is not letting anyone love you less than you love yourself.~Felipe
~I remember, therefore I am immortal~LEXX }><}}}(*>~
IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Randall:
IMHO, I would just do free readings only and limit to just one (so as to help more people and not be taken advantage of by a few) and accept donations all around. You could do more readings with regulars (unadvertised). If you help them, some will donate, and the ones who can't afford to will be paid by the Uni-verse in one way or another. Focus on helping others. The rest will take care of itself. But if you do charge--depending on your method of doing the readings (IM for instance), I would not set a time limit. Some may go for 5 minutes, and some may go for an hour, but as long as you are interacting and helping, you are building a relationship with that person. Some will donate a little (but it may be a lot for them and a struggle to come up with), and a few will donate more. Do you really want to not help those who can't afford it? Be aware that if you charge per minute, you are in the same category as many charlatans. Just sayin'. But that's my take on it. Pay Pal allows you to accept credit cards, so it's the way I would go with. Put a Pay Pal donation button on the site, so people can randomly go in to contribute at a later date after their reading.
OK
Let me go over what you said,Randall.
Pay pal allows me to accept credit cards so that part is done. YES, the charging by the minute bothered me a lot.
I need to feel out the situation and take my time.
I need the leisure of this and *I* would feel pressured that the person was paying too much lol
Readings do have an ebb and flow to them.
Some come to the end faster,some slower.
OK---so--you would say charge by the reading---not time wise at all,then?
------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:10 PM
Ok
I am thinking about when I had Accupuncture.
The girl took a lot of time getting to know me,etc.
It was leisurely.
Real things cannot be rushed.
Therapy is so clinical.You can be dying and they rush you out at the end of 50 minutes.
OK---so I will do it by the session.
The session will have a natural conclusion,as things do in normal life.
That feels good to me.
Thank you Randall ------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:16 PM
I was hoping to get clarity with this thread and I am.
I have some things decided and will come back with other things to ask .IP: Logged |
lalalinda
Moderator Posts: 1508
From: nevada
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:38 PM
Call me superstitious 
but I honestly believe if you exploit your "gift", you will lose it.Since this is not about money but more of an altruistic gift
(and honing your craft)
you can limit your readings to one initially,
and from there ask for a donation either for yourself or for LL.
(personally I'd put it back in LL, because you have the benefit of LL's following)
If it "booms" then you can change it to a percentage.
But the choice is yours Dear Ami I say this because in the end you will benefit tremendously.
You will build a following and from there the sky is the limit. Give your best and you will recieve the best.  IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 9682
From: The Goober Galaxy
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:41 PM
Linda actually agrees with you, A-R. I don't think Ami said she would refuse someone who didn't pay. By the minute might be viewed as you trying to keep them talking longer. It takes away from your credibility. ------------------
"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 04:54 PM
Please, everyone keep your ideas coming.
I will tell you right out,I don't need the money.
I want to find a way to use my gifts in the best possible way.
That is my purpose ------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 05:21 PM
dpIP: Logged |
Ami Anne
Moderator Posts: 13487
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted March 19, 2011 05:28 PM
OK
I have this much figured out.
After the first one, I will ask for a donation of any amount the person wants to give.
If I have people who want to abuse me and give a dollar and KEEP hassling me,I will say that I am not available,I guess.
I suppose that is the way I could weed out people who are just plain trouble---right?
This part got scary for me cuz I had two people ONLY get nasty when I would not be a gum ball machine.
That part kind of made me freeze
I gave and gave and when I couldn't--they took revenge on me.------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
He who controls his Spirit is greater than he who controls a city
Proverbs IP: Logged |
Lonake
Moderator Posts: 4263
From: U.S.
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 06:03 PM
Hi Ami,
One option is to have space available for people to donate to your site, poss. through paypal, if they have resources and feel that the reading was meaningful.Another option is to have set packages, and it's all inclusive. For example so many minutes for a certain price, but with that payment they can ask follow up questions that pertain directly to that issue at no extra cost. There are lots of ways you could work this,
let us know what you decide on  IP: Logged |
Lonake
Moderator Posts: 4263
From: U.S.
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 06:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Randall
What do I do after the one free reading with or without the donation.
How do I go about it if people want readings after that?
I would want payment for additional readings.
Usually ,people stay with me for many ,many readings.That seems to be the pattern. I become a resource.
Should I say that---up front. After the one reading, there will be a required donation of a certain amount for additional readings?
THIS is the crux of the problem ,for now, the additional readings after the first free one.
Just going with basic psychology, it's better to make the product less expensive, not more, as the time goes on, remember that you are putting a dollar amount on the worth of the readings. So in business terms you have to set the high standard, establish a loyal clientele, reach out and broaden horizons, then once your base in plentiful, then you would offer discounts or something of that nature. This is just me speaking in business terms, not in terms of how this would make you feel or how it may or may not align with your spiritual views, I just read what you wrote and felt that I should add this. So in the final analysis all factors would have to be weighed, monetary, spiritual, emotional, etc. IP: Logged |
Lonake
Moderator Posts: 4263
From: U.S.
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted March 19, 2011 06:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by pire:
IMO, if someone believes in god, and wants to help others, they should not expect to get anything from those they help, not even recognition. although quite frankly no recognition at all is sometimes difficult to handle. IMO, if someone wants to foster his relationship with god by helping others, then they should be looking for "payment" only from god himself. and payment from god could be different from what is expected and what is presented by society as worthy. money is not the most worthy gift one can offer I think. also, IMO, if someone says they want to help others and ask to get something in return directly from that person, they should first and foremost wonder on their own motivation to help others. In my very individualistic and sometimes dark world, it is better to not help than to help for the wrong motivations. IMO only.
Your argument is so outside of the world and its practical concerns. Many many people help others and are monetarily compensated. One very demanding profession I can think of right now is child care workers and also grade school and high school teachers. They are helping and are being provided monetary compensation. Not much, in terms of the care they provide, but then again the helping professions have never been very well compensated. IP: Logged |
Lindaland
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
