Working for free. Should you? Shouldn't you?
Hey all,
I wrote some words on unpaid work in #NotesOnFreelancing (my newsletter about freelance life) this week.
In a nutshell: be open to opportunities but don't be afraid to tell anyone who deserves it to JOG ON.
Read: http://notesonfreelancing.substack.com
Hope we're all having a good weekend! x
Replies21
- @Kimberley Looijen Thank you for reading! Glad that it's been helpful :)
- Thank you Ameena! Very useful information you put out here. ✨
- There is never work for free, since you can always take some of the following:- % of equity (which is money given in the long run and ownership of something you helped build)- connections (and connections of those connections)- learn (either something new or complement an area of your expertise or even better on how not to do something!)I personally never made decisions based purely on money and that has served me well so far! I learned to be a "serendipity opportunistic" and watch and listen more. I have met investors while having my morning coffee, core staff through friends acquaintances and new buyers for my business just my walking into a store and making a question (soon to find out I was speaking with a random quirky guy that was walking in the shop that happened to be Fred Segal Vice President).Swap skills has been also an incredible way to now only teach but also to learn about other people's work.Finally, everything I have done for free has always paid me back in so many different ways than not just money. If you want to live well in a modern world, having a full bank account is not connected with having a successful and fulfilling live. I guess time and wisdom will teach every single one of us that!Give life chances and it will compensate you, no doubts!
- @Luke Spencer very clear on the factors that should influence the answer
- Hey Ameena,Great question - and some great answers here (particularly about value vs money)!I think the difference in opinion perfectly demonstrates how tricky this can be; for those starting their careers, but also those more established creatives that want to develop a new or unique vision.Some of the first advice I was given, as a very keen trainee saying yes to everything (even when it involved working 20 hour days for free!):you should always get one of three things for your time and skills:1. money2. new, important connections3. learn/try/experiment with something newPreferably you're looking for all three! But if you can't definitively say yes to one of these... it's time to move on.This was pretty useful advice to me back then - for many there will be value in work beyond these three options - but definitely still worth considering these as a good rule of thumb.-I'd just add, personally, I think no one should ever have to work for free.The only people this truly benefits are those set to profit the most from a project to begin with; and the most vulnerable and financially restricted are often those set to lose out. But the onus on change should be with the HODs, management, executives etc. to ensure strategies that don't rely on unpaid labour.If you can pay your trainee, pay them. If you know a rate is available for a role, don't undercut it. If you have union representation available to you, join it.-Thanks so much for the question and the discussion that it encourages.Best,Luke
- Hey Ameena,ask youself what is the real value behind that work: is it actually going to bring you new clients after? Is it a well known client? Is that content good to enrich your portfolio?As a general rule, working for free is not ok. But you can use these elements to evaluate if that free-work is also worthless. If it is, then money is the way to go :)Jacopo
- Hi Ameena.This is always a difficult question, even more so now when creative industries are struggling on how to capitaise their work online (specially performing arts, etc.).In my experience it depends on where you are at your career, the project nature and from where you are relating to the project.It might be useful at early stages but be mindful in not becoming the "working for free" professional, there is no growth there. On the other side if this is a big name that might contribute to your resume I would give it a go, as no one will know if you were paid of not (but I would not this more than once for the same reason as above). I agree with some colleagues here about having more creative freedom however you might be equally creatively free if you used that same time for your own project; so I encourage analysing what are you getting from that free project on top of that: you might be exploring a new technique, use their resources, expand your network, etc.But in general I would encourage to reflect on what is the value of your work at different levels and make decisions from there.Hope this helps!
- I'd rather noone work for free but if it does happen I believe that it is important that you can solidify the value somehow. For example, a list of great contacts that you will definitely use in the future or access to projects that you would never have a chance to because of your background. This also needs to be something that is short-term. Freeness doesnt pay the bills and its the same with exposure
- Short answer: Never.Longer answer with a caveat that this is one person's opinion: You will be tempted to work for free because you believe in a project or because you are convinced the client truly doesn't have any dosh or because it's someone close to you who "only needs a logo" or whatever, but it's been my experience that unless there is some sort of compensation involved, you risk being taken advantage of, or losing a lot of time from people (some of them well-meaning) who don't respect what it is you truly do.Compensation can take different forms and not always monetarily. For instance, we once helped rebrand an organic meat company who paid me in a few month's worth supply of organic meat. the project was a huge time suck and were it not for a fully stocked freezer, there would not have been any return on investment.The few and rare exceptions to this rule are if you take on a project you believe might help your career down the line. If it's high profile enough potentially award-winning, or enought o build a case stufy that proves your ability or what have you. But again, these are extremely rare in my experience.Remember-- if something is free, you are the product.
- Depends on the work and be clear on the terminology you use as it will define you in the future.Firstly, I’d reframe everything in terms of value. If you and the other person are getting a win win on the value, then call it out and go for it.Win win value can be financial (cash money), educational (coaching or mentoring), quid pro (they do something for you and scratch your back) or pay it forward (testimonials, referrals or connections).Be clear up front about the value exchange. It’s easier to say as well rather than, how much are you paying! That way, there’s flex in what you can both get out of the situation.If you are volunteering then clearly that’s a different thing (although the value you’ll get is knowing you’re helping and doing the right thing).Stay Boom!S
- Totally fine to work for free if you are able to in terms of time and resource. The crucial thing is to be clear with others involved and yourself what you want out of it and to qualify it.In our studio we run all new projects though a filter in terms of 1. Creative innovation 2. Renown 3. Financial reward. The best projects succeed in all three criteria. If you are not hitting a single one, then you probably should say no to the opportunity.If you turn down a project as it's not right for you now, do so in a kind and decent way. You've no idea what the other person may be in charge of in a decade's time!
- Hello!I do a mixture I think. Sometimes free work can be the most rewarding in terms of the fact you probably have more creative control over it - because of it not being motivated by a fee etc. Like charity stuff or creativity for good - I don't mind contributing my time to those things for free (if my time allows it ofc!) or if its a creative project that I genuinely believe could grow into something long term or something bigger. Short term loss for long term gain...But obvioulsy goes without saying that you should not be working for free all the time. Just the occasional pro bono or book filler, that is probably alright. But day to day you should have a salary or some kind of consistent income from whatever client/s you are working for! You are a trained professional and you deserve to be paid properly for your time/expertise.Hope this helps !Dais x
- @David Polonia Absolutely! It's very revealing when a potential client says that, because then you know they're talking garbage.
- @Ian Vincent Yes - test shoots can be so important. But important not to think of it as free work I think, but work that's beneficial to all as everyone gets something out of it, though not monetary.
- @Elif Gurbuz What you say about working for free becoming toxic and destructive to your self-worth is so absolutely true. Thank you for commenting!
- @Nada Abughris Yes, run away 100%! Thank you for reading and commenting :)
- In my opinion never do free work especially if you have studied design and/or have been practising it for a while because you provide value and if someone isnt going to see that then its not worth working with them.Tip: If someone says do this for the exposure. RUN and dont look back haha
- I think this is a good opportunity to get creative in the ways you ask to get paid for your service.I really love working in exchange for skills, for instance. This way you work with a growth mindset and towards supporting your network, rather than fulfilling a one off need. Because working for free can really become toxic and you can very easily find yourself resentful towards your work. For this reason, free work can be very destructive to your self worth too.When you instead work in exchange for something, that's not necessarily monetary, you're motivated to put more effort in. Because the more effort you put in, you know that the other person in exchange would be inspired to return the effort. And this can potentially build a very constructive partnership.I once designed a book for an artist, for instance, who in return took some photos for me, and it was one of my most collaborations.Good things can come out of restrictions, but it's up to us to create that opportunity.
- A test shoot in my opinion no matter what level you are on is what keeps you being able to shoot the stuff that you like and love. A lot of the times you might not get to have too much creative freedom on the job as you are at the mercy of art directors/directors/client + briefA self made test shoot gives you all the creative freedom you could need. But like the others have said its how everyone has to start and builds your portfolio. I just finished doing a test shoot just now :) thoroughly enjoyed it
- I think free work should be done only for charities.Never trust somebody founding a startup or anything commercial that says you he will call you back later when the business is running well, because really (really) often, as soon as people have money, they call somebody else; the risk is you will stay in the "free workers" category and never progress.Best,— David
- Hi Ameena,Hope you are well.For me,It's important that you initially do unpaid work to build your portfolio and experience. Also if you're getting into new filed of work,you would need to do freebie.I did initially but now to collab twice a month and offer free shoot to charity organisation.Best wishesRudi
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