Any creatives (esp. women, women of colour) that have been unpaid for creative work out there? I would like to hear your stories.
I worked for another creative who was getting funding but I was not paid for the work I done. Has anyone experienced this? Stupid question I know, it happens regularly? But no one talks about it. Just got few ideas/ways this can be stopped. Please, I would like your input!Thank you.
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- Hi! I'm sorry about this!I have been in a few similar situations. I'm not sure if it was because I'm a woman or if the clients were just disrespectful and not as professional as I would have liked... But I have thought a lot of times that I could probably be treated differently if I was a man as sometimes it feels like the clients are bossing you around just because they think they know better. Or even try to be more friendly with you, which I find uncomfortable and weird.I think the best way to avoid situations like that is to have a contract or an agreement, but I know that sometimes it is not that possible, especially if you work online as they could just leave you hanging (I have been in plenty of situations like that).So far, I think it is best to mention the money in the beginning even if they don't ask. Also, I have been asking for a deposit or half of the price at the beginning of my work process, unless the client is trustworthy or I have worked with them before. :)
- Hi Vicki, sorry this happened to you. It happens all the time. Did you talk about money at the beginning of the project? If yes, do you have an email or a contract ?My experience is that this often happens when money is not mentioned so I try to come up with it if the potential client doesn't.The best way it's always have some kind of contract or written agreement in place. In this case - if you want to go the legal way - you can use the online claim service https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim (you need to give proof of the work done and the existing agreement).Another case that happened to me is free prospective work: asking for a completed creative solution in order to win a job for me is not OK, unless the task is paid. I don't do it anymore because I think my portfolio, website, experience and a simple written outline of what my creative direction will be should be enough.
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