[fuzztester]

>I would absolutely not offer freebies. That telegraphs desperation. Instead, offer a free initial consultation for a 1 hour meeting,

that is still a freebie, though, by definition. if you offer anything for free, it is a freebie.

and, offering a freebie does not necessarily signal desperation. i am not saying that one should not offer freebies, or even that one should. it all depends. and many variations are possible.

For example, escrow, via a services marketplace.