When you’re a freelancer there’s always a big pink elephant in the room. It stands over you caressing your face with its hairy trunk when you’re on call to a client and it spears you in the chest with its tusk when you see the PERFECT job ad, only to realise it’s for no pay.
Whilst I was at uni and just after I finished I resigned myself to the fact I’d have to work for free. Because, everyone does it right? It’s just the route you have to take to get where you want to be.
Without thinking about it I wrote blog posts for high-flying brands… for free. I helped market start-up magazines… for free. I input data into spreadsheets for hours… for free. Because it would eventually lead me to where I wanted to be.
Or so I thought.
The truth is, working for free is a double edged sword.
In some situations it really can lead you to where you want to be. For example, my sister volunteered in a gallery (an environment she was desperate to work in) which led to a full-time paid position. She excelled in her role as a volunteer and made herself invaluable to the team.
It was a no-brainer.
But lines start getting blurred when you enter the realm of freelancing and blogging. Take things online and immediately everyone starts thinking they can have their cake and eat it.
Who doesn’t love a bit of cake?
And it’s even more difficult when there are people out there essentially doing your job but not charging a penny for it. They’re doing it for free because they already have a job and they just enjoy the work.
I could hark on about how there should be some industry guidelines, but I’m a huge fan of everyone doing their own thing. I have absolutely no right to tell someone what they can and can’t do in their spare time, just like I’d never take it well if someone told me how to run my business.
But how do you know when it’s okay to work for free and when it’s not?
Some people would blast me down and pray that I stay there for even saying it’s okay to work for free. But I’m under no illusion that it’s a dog eat dog world out there and that it’s every man for himself (or every woman for herself).
Working for free – when should you do it?
Over the years I’ve realised that there are some situations where working for free is ideal. Or, the only way to level up.
To Build Your Brand
No one is going to pay you to promote your brand, your business, or your services. It’s all down to you to get creative and get your name out there.
How do you do that? Well, for writers like myself, guest posting on bigger blogs and sites is a fantastic way to reach audiences who don’t know you exist. Guest posting doesn’t pay, but if you hit the right markets and blow people’s socks off you can really reap the benefits.
I’ve had a number of clients find me through my articles on The Huffington Post. Guess what? I don’t get paid to write those.
I’ve also written for tonnes of blogs with larger (but aligned) audiences with mine and it’s resulted in loads of sign ups and new readers. Later down the line when I start releasing products (super-duper useful ones!), this new audience might prove to be very useful.
If you’re asked to contribute to something by a major brand you might consider saying yes to get your work in front of more eyeballs.
But really, it’s up to you to assess what would or what wouldn’t be a good opportunity for your brand and business. You’re the person who knows your business best, who knows your audience best, and knows what you want to achieve and by when.
Which leads me onto my next point…
You Have a Plan
Plans are so underrated. I used to be the queen of winging it, but now I love a good plan, especially when there are defined outcomes and manageable ways to reach it.
If you have a strategy in place that could do with working for free – for example, you want more purchases of your on-site product each month – then go ahead, spread your wings and fly.
Don’t just do it for the sake of it though.
So many of the pieces I wrote for free I wrote because I was just ecstatic that someone wanted me to write for them. Little did I know that I was simply a cog in a much bigger wheel. I could have been anyone – except I wasn’t, I was even better. I was someone who was willing to do work for free for no personal gain.
Eesh.
To Get Experience in a Different Field
Job-jumping these days is HARD. If you’ve already been working your butt off in one industry but you’d really like to swap skills and try something else for a while, it’s almost impossible to land paid work.
Because you don’t have any experience.
To get work you need to prove you’re able to do it, otherwise why would anyone hand over the cash?
If you’re first and foremost a writer but you’d really like to break into web design and you want to build up your portfolio and get better at it before you unleash yourself on the masses, working for free is a viable option depending on whether you have the time.
For a Cause You Love
I’m a big believer in working from the heart and helping out brands or causes you really believe in. Usually, this boils down to charities and non-profits who often don’t have the money to pay big bucks for freelancers.
If you really want to get involved it’s totally okay to work for free, especially if it means you can sleep easy at night knowing you’ve done your part for humanity.
There are probably loads more situations where working for free is appropriate, so if you think of any let me know in the comments below!
Working for Free – When You Shouldn’t Do it
The evolution of online industries and jobs has meant that pretty much anyone with a computer and the internet can call himself a freelancer and start advertising his services for money.
This has led to an increase in poorly skilled people carrying out writing, designing, and marketing work. It gives the industry a bad name and it ultimately lowers the value of everything we do.
Which also means companies and brands think it’s okay to ask you to work for free. Because, they could totally just do it themselves, right?
Yeah, this is one of the situations where working for free is tentative.
A Sample For a Client
This one has caught me unawares a few times, I have to admit, and I’m sure you fell foul to this ploy when you first started out.
Clients often ask me to write a free sample for them when I’m pitching for work, “just to see if you’d be a good fit.” Fine, if it’s 100 words about something I already know. Not fine if I have to write a full-on 500-word piece for absolutely nothing.
Now, I just guide potential clients towards my portfolio where they can see an expansive collection of my previous work to see if they think I can write. Or I charge them for the sample piece.
The Client Promises There’s Money Down the Line
How many times have I heard clients say that they don’t have the money to pay now but they’re planning on being multi-millionaires in a few short weeks so just hold tight until then?
Urgh, too many.
It’s impossible to know how much money you’ll be making down the line unless you’re already making that money – in which case, you can pay me.
Nine times out of ten this is just a massive giveaway that the client doesn’t plan on paying you at all, ever. Never.
Because the Client is Your Friend
Sure, it’s nice to help a friend out every now and again, but when we know someone well it’s easy to take advantage of them.
I know I’ve certainly volunteered up friends to bosses (cringe) and many friends have done the same to me.
If it’s a small task that can be done quickly or if it’s a really, really close friend who’s in desperate need of something, sure go ahead – you want to get into heaven after all, right?
But don’t just work for free because a friend has asked you. Value your work and they will, too. You could always start by prompting them on what you usually charge clients for similar work and see if they back off.
When they know how much you’ll be losing out on they’ll probably run away with their tail between their legs. Otherwise you should cut and run.
There are so, so many scenarios where clients take advantage of freelancers by manipulating them into working for free, but you can only really judge a situation using your experiences and your good ol’ gut instinct.
I’m not going to be the person to swat you down in public for working for free doing something I charge for because I have no idea what’s going on with you – I don’t know your goals, I don’t know your strategy, and I don’t know what you love doing in your spare time.
How do you determine whether it’s appropriate to work for free or not? Let me know in the comments below!
hi. As a free lance audio guy, I have had my fair share of free work.
Only comment I would make is that there needs to be a longer term benefit that you can see yourself. If not, it’s simply one’s inability to say no to people.
That is dangerous for any free lancer.
Exactly Lynley! I struggled so much at the start of my freelance career to say no, but now I know it’s best for both me and the client if I do in certain situations.
I definitely agree that when you start out you may do things for free that you end up later on refusing to do for free – I think the tricky bit is judging when you have got to that point of being ‘big’ enough to make that call. For us, it was when we got featured on BBC TV the first time.
Pierateer Rob recently posted…Pierate Pie Party Preview and Upcoming Events
Yes! I think featuring on BBC TV is a big enough call 🙂
Great post. When I first started my interior decorating business, I would give free in home consultations to potential clients. I would drive to their homes and try to give them awesome advice in hopes for a signed contract. In the end, they would take my advice and complete the project on their own. Now I charge a small fee for my in home consultations. I also have a blog that I give a lot of free advice on. Trying to decide on what to do for free and not can be a challenge.
Nakeya recently posted…9 Steps to Convert a Closet Into a Home Office
That’s often a big concern for creative freelancers… our ideas are money! That’s essentially part of what the client is paying for – otherwise why would they be looking to hire someone for a job they can do themselves? I agree it’s a huge challenge and it takes a while to get to the stage where you’re comfortable either saying no or asking for money.
Oh my goodness, this is fabulous! The first few paragraphs I was sat here going “this is exactly me, it’s like I’m writing this” what a steep learning curve blogging is. There have been times when I’ve thought exactly the same that it will lead me to somewhere else… then I’ve been disappointed. And the same with friends. It’s tricky sometimes, but now I’ve realised that my time is valuable and it’s not fair for a company to always expect things for free. But judging the whole thing is still difficult. Some people are so good at making you question yourself!
Annie @ Annie’s Noms recently posted…Apple Blondies
I totally agree Annie! I always want to help out friends but if it’s cutting into your time and money then it needs to be addressed – and if they’re good enough friends they should understand!
I’ve had a few situations where clients have asked me to work for less because they’re “really passionate about their brand and think it can go far”… I always say, my landlord really doesn’t care how passionate you are or how big you think your brand might be!
This is a great post on when you should and shouldn’t work for free! I’ve worked for free a lot, too, and it can be very disheartening at times. Friends are constantly asking for my “help” but often feels more like work. And as a blogger I’m constantly contacted by big companies who want me to advertise them for NOTHING. But I also volunteer at the library and to me that’s the good kind of working for free.
Cole recently posted…9 Reasons You Should Freelance While Still in College
YES to the big companies asking you to advertise for free… Gets my back up so much! The person emailing me is probably getting paid so why should I be any different? I know a lot of people with hobby blogs are okay with that to get content etc, but my site clearly states I’m a freelancer and this is my business!
I agree – volunteering at a library is definitely an a-ok situation to work for free in!
Gosh, this is so tough. Specifically when you are starting out. You feel like giving your skills away for free in return for recognition. Thanks for the guide – I will have to pay closer attention to it for sure.
It’s really tough! Especially when there’s so many different people telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Only you can know what’s best for your blog/business/brand!
A fascinating post about something I am struggling with right now – thanks Lizzie #HUGS
Kitto
Hope it was helpful Kitto! 🙂
Great post Lizzie!
Working for free when I started my business is what built my business, but I actually only worked for free for 1 month (although I did almost an entire year of testing the waters first!)
I always had strict guidelines surrounding the testing I was doing and how it helped me and my business in the longer term. I call this beta testing and it helped me get clear on what I was good at, what I needed more work on and it gave me confidence and testimonials to begin attracting paid clients.
I actually created a free 6-part email series about setting yourself up with a beta test if you think your readers would be interested? Here is the link:http://electric-empire.com/betalab/free-training/)
Using it as a tester period is such a good idea Anna! It makes sense to try out things first to see if you’re good at them, what you can improve, and if you even enjoy them – during that stage I think it’s perfectly fine to work for free (particularly because I wouldn’t want to charge someone for my own “experiment”!).
Oh my, I can say so much on this topic, I don’t even know where to begin… but here are some of my rules 🙂
– if anyone else in the project is getting paid, NO working for free
– if all the money goes for a cause I believe in, and I have an opening in my schedule, then YES
– if it’s a friend, I damn well expect them to offer payment (and they do!) – it’s up to me to offer a discount if I want to
– absolutely NO free samples. I have a substantial portfolio, that’s enough to see whether I’m the right designer for you
When it comes to breaking into a new industry, I would say the same rules apply.
Work for free on non-profit and personal projects.
Don’t work for businesses to practice your skills. First – it’s irresponsible, second – if they get to profit, you should too.
Nela Dunato recently posted…Free Authentic Promotion Guidebook now available!
Great tips Nela! I love your idea of not working for free if anyone else is getting paid – that’s a great benchmark to work from. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this, such a valuable discussion! I did a little bit of free work when I started my business last year, and it really helped me get things going! Those free clients led to paid work and lots of referrals. But I also volunteer as an ESL teacher for immigrant and refugee moms…I do it because it feels a part of my soul that doesn’t always get fed otherwise!
Nicole recently posted…Letting the real you (and me!) shine through
A lot of my “voluntary” work led to jobs, too – people remembered me when I went freelance and offered me work based on the things I’d done for them before. I agree that sometimes we need to do something for the soul – and what a great cause you’re doing it for!
Great breakdown! I agree that there are times that are good to work for free, especially when you’re first starting out.
Mallie Rydzik recently posted…Authenticity Is More Than A Branding Buzzword
Completely agree Mallie!