Saturday, August 9, 2014

Working for Free: Part Six - It's Great Exposure

Sometimes a potential client might explain that although there’s no money to pay you, you’ll get great exposure and that there’s a high probability of future paid work? Should you consider doing this for free?

As tempting as it is, it’s wise to ask for further information about this offer that’s supposedly going to put you on the map. Ask for more details about what kind of exposure you’re going to get. You can then assess for yourself if this is something for which you should waive you usual fee. For example, how is your name or product going to be used for your benefit? Will there be a link your website or blog? If your work involves an event, what’s the anticipated attendance and will you be able to display promotional materials, such as brochures and business cards? Will you be able to use your work for the company to promote your own work later on?

If none of this seems beneficial, or if you’re just not comfortable with the whole situation, you can always say no. It might even be good to point out to the client that you don’t really need any better exposure. After all, you must already be reasonably visible since they contacted you in the first place.    

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