I've addressed how to estimate and bill freelance projects. I've talked about the importance of getting paid for your work - because if you don't value your work, monetarily, neither will anyone else. But today I want to talk about when you SHOULD work for free. I get asked by other freelancers all the time about how I deal with "pro-bono" projects.
So here it goes.
Point 1. The only time you should work for "free" is when you can see the value of what you have to gain from the experience.
Here are a few instances where this value might be recognized:
• When you need to build your portfolio: If you're new to your creative endeavor and are building experience it might be worthwhile to work for free (or a very small charge). But if you do this - you better make SURE that project becomes portfolio worthy. Make it clear to your client that in exchange for your service you want them to trust your creative vision and guidance so that you end up with a piece you're proud to show off.
• When you work for trade: I love working for trade and never consider it "free". I like to view trade as an exchange of energy - so it's wise to make sure both parties understand the worth of the services or products being traded so it's a fair deal. It should be obvious but needs to be said: I will not work for trade if the other party doesn't have services or products of value to me.
• Working for charity: I've been asked to do pro-bono work for charities work a lot. I only say yes when the charity asking is meaningful to me - I get value from feeling like I was able to contribute to a good cause. If you accept pro-bono work and become resentful about it only creates bad karma for you and them. You do not have to say yes to every charity that comes knocking at your door just because they're a charity.
• You owe someone a favor: I've been blessed with lots of generosity from friends within my industry. Vendors and other experts who have gifted me with knowledge and goods. When they ask for a design favor I happily return it.
• Working for friends & family: This one is probably the trickiest. When it comes to wedding invitations or baby announcements I almost always say yes (or offer before they even ask) if I have the time. It's hard to say "no" to family & friends but the times I do they always seem to understand.
And that brings us to point #2.
Point 2. - Always make sure whoever is receiving your services for free knows what your worth in dollar value.
This might mean sending your charity or friend an invoice with the dollar amount of your services - but with a $0 balance at the bottom. You might even include a note saying "Happy Birthday!" even if it's nowhere near their birthday. This way they know it's kind of a special, rare thing that you're not willing to do all the time. (But don't do this if it really is a birthday / wedding / baby gift - that would be awkward).
I just want to leave you with one final thought when it comes to working for free and saying "no." If someone loves your work and services and wants to hire you but doesn't have the money to pay for your services then they are probably not a good fit for you. Just because they really like you and you really like your job doesn't mean you have to work for them for free.
What's your stance on working for free? Do you have a hard time saying no? When do you say yes?
P.S. I love Jessica Hische's Should I Work For Free flowchart.
I run into this in my wedding planning side-job. Brides sign a contract for "day of" coordination, but email and call wanting me to help them look for vendors, put together mood boards, send invite samples etc. (all items that come with a full coordination package). I (most) always help a bit because it never takes much time - but then it's hard to cut it off. I need to do better job saying no.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blunt person...(as you know)... so it's a fine line for me to be able to express the notion of "hey, I need money" without sounding like a complete a-hole.
Great post! I still find it hard to say 'no' to things especially when it's family or friends. I really liked the HAPPY BIRTHDAY idea and invoicing with zero balance. It's also great in case they recommend your services and the prospective client can see what you charge for this type of thing up front. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteso true! and i think a lot of this applies to agreeing to projects or consulting work in general that you'd rather not take on.
ReplyDeleteAGREED on all points. when i first started out, everyone that was giving me advice was always telling me to mark up my prices, and never work for free...in the beginning, that's what i did, but i also secretly allowed for some free work, and trading. some were mistakes, but some were great for boosting my business. you just have to be smart and weigh it out...i think it's better to do some free work, than to not do any, and keep lots of doors closed!
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible time saying no, and I so often get ripped off. which leads to less effort and passion in the process. It defiantly takes a strength to be your own boss and not be took advantage of.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about someone who can't afford you. If they start trying to talk you down from moment 1, I run the other direction.
ReplyDeleteI do quite a lot of free work for friends and family and I enjoy it b/c it doesn't feel like a job for me (and it lets me do stuff that a paying customer might not want to take a risk with) but I have to disagree about sending a bill. If Im doing someone a favor, I would feel it was in bad taste to remind them what they owe me. That's just me though - everyone has to work it the way that works for them.
Mrs L. / Stefanie - I definitely think it's more appropriate when doing free work for a charity or organization.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend who always asked me to design things for her here and there. One day I casually mentioned how much I charge people for my services and she was blown away. She simply had no idea.
So, like I said in my post, I don't think this style is appropriate for every occasion but I definitely think it's an option - especially if you're feeling taken advantage of. But in that case - it's probably just best to learn to say "no" right up front.
there is also a great article on this subject on forbeswoman called "no you can't pick my brain. it costs too much". as a landscape designer, i run into this all the time. i didn't go to college for 5 years to come look at your dead tree, and receive beer as payment.
ReplyDeletethere is also a great article on forbes called "no, you can't pick my brain. it costs too much". as a landscape designer, i run into this issue all of the time. my time is valuable, and i find if i am not getting paid in some substantial way, i could care less about doing the work. i didn't go to school for 5 years in landscape architecture to come look at someones' dead tree, only to be paid in beer. sure, probono work has its place. but, you're insulting the individual if you're not willing to pay them their worth. i don't even bother with side projects anymore. people pay more for my art than they do for a landscape consultation.
ReplyDeleteThe "Happy Birthday" invoice idea is brilliant. I usually only do free work for family and really close friends, but I know they haven't the foggiest idea how much it would actually cost if they paid me—which can create an awkward situation if they ask for 9,000 revisions and other things outside the original scope of the project. I definitely will be using this tactic from now on!
ReplyDeletei really like this and its timely as I have volunteered way too muc h of my time and feinitely need to act like my worth.
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