I rarely do domain name consulting. When a friend or friend of friend needs some domain registration or acquisition advice, I am happy to chat with them if I am able to offer advice or insight. Beyond that, I am a hard no when people ask about domain consulting.
In the past, I would chat or exchange emails with these acquaintances a few times, and maybe I would follow up down the road if I recalled our discussion to see if they were able to get their coveted domain name. Since I did not have any sort of vested interest in their acquisition, their needs would generally fall off my radar shortly after chatting.