Thanks for the update. It's a valuable lesson learned early on, that many others have made before realising too late that they have been taken advantage of. Most of us have had it tried on us too, I know I have, then realised what was happening. I don't mind being helpful, but you have to draw the line somewhere. I choose to give my help and my free work, and that is my personal choice, but when it feels like it is expected, I pull back from it.
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Designers get asked to work for nothing all the time, and it is extremely frustrating.
'I would like a logo/poster/flyer/website/advertisement for my business but can't afford to pay. However, if you do it for free it will be good exposure for you and I will tell people about your services...'
I've fired this back at potential clients before, ie 'what if you give me a car and I'll tell everyone about your dealership - it will give you great exposure...' For some reason it never works.
I'll have to remember that one! I think as Indizine said, it is a lesson learned and at least I won't spend as much time and effort deliberating over what to do next time.
No doubt this will be the first of many dilemas that will come my way!
Designers get asked to work for nothing all the time, and it is extremely frustrating.
It's not only designers, even legal professionals are expected to work for free these days
Put simply, if your trade is professional services, clients seem to have an increasingly harder time understanding that your time has an intrinsic value, which they are expected to pay for.
The way I used to explain this, when I worked in Ireland until just over a year ago, was to ask clients whether they expected to pay their GP after a visit or not (you have to pay your GP over there, no NHS-walk-in-and-out-for-free system like here).
Now that I'm back here, I use another analogy, and simply make the client reflect on the fact that, whenever they call or email me about "a little something they need some advice about", they'd have to hire someone and pay a wage if they wanted the same service/advice at the drop of a hat as they expect from me. So hire someone or pay my bill ...or try and look it up yourself (but it will take you a day, and it will take me 10 minutes - if your day is worth more than 10 minutes of my time, it should an easy one...you'd think )
New clients = cash upfront before any work is done.
Recent/decent clients (decent = credit worthy after basic checks) = half of estimate upfront before any work is done.
Established clients = disbursements upfront, payment at 30 days.
Don't ever work for free. Spend the time looking for clients who will pay.
It's business trickery and a common one - don't fall for it. These type feed off people who they know are trying to win their long term custom and will more than likely milk you.
If they have poor cash flow then that says they cannot afford to sub out that work and should do it themselves. It also means they are not yet viable and therefore there is a clear sign they are not going to be in a position to pay you for some time to come. If they are having problems, they will take what freebies they can get. That's my opinion.
If they do not value you, walk away. Either they need what you sell, or they don't it's that simple. My customers are people who want to pay me. My customers are happy to pay me the whole amount for my website design upfront. Fine if they cannot afford to or have their own policies for different terms, but everyone wants me to pay them up front when I buy something, so likewise I do the same. If it's someone I know very well and its a small amount, maybe they can pay after the work is done, but either you trust that person or you don't. Either you want that person to do work for you, or you don't.
I would advise that you concentrate on giving your 'freebies' as discounts off your normal prices to several people, rather than one chunk of free time to one person.
Or say, if you buy 5 hrs, you get 5hrs free (or however you sell your service).
You need to have confidence in yourself in order for others to have confidence in you as a supplier, so stick to your guns.
A business friend of mine has this phrase for his potential customers 'BIOFO' - Buy it of **** off! A bit harsh, but you get my meaning. Don't let tyre kickers and spongers drag you down.
I am sending you a PM so I dont go off topic here about your website.
I guess you have to make an informed decision based on what you know about someone. I would never say 'dont ever work for free' because you might pass up a good opportunity. Just make sure you get something out of it worthwhile. Just because someone else has had bad experiences doesnt always mean that will be the case with you.
It seems you made the right choice though, so good luck!
Certainly, and working for free for a certain company has paid dividends but on this occasion I think I did make the right choice - that's not to say I wouldn't consider this in future - I just need to try and not deal with things and situations so personally, I'm scared I'll offend someone and make them not like me!
I must toughen up!
It certainly can be difficult to say 'No', but its probably the best word to learn in Business. I always respect people more for sticking to their guns even if its not what you want to hear!
T
Designers get asked to work for nothing all the time, and it is extremely frustrating.
'I would like a logo/poster/flyer/website/advertisement for my business but can't afford to pay. However, if you do it for free it will be good exposure for you and I will tell people about your services...'
I've fired this back at potential clients before, ie 'what if you give me a car and I'll tell everyone about your dealership - it will give you great exposure...' For some reason it never works.
Oh yes! I've had plenty of those over the years too!
"We would like a logo, website, business cards and signage but are on a limited budget!"
"We would like professional quality photos of our band/product/pet dog/insert anything else you may like here, but can't afford to pay. However, you will get a credit on our album cover/website/etc... and it may lead to future work."
Because many profession services are hard to quanitify (ie, the customer doesn't often end up with a tangible product), a low value is often percieved for such services. Interesting though how the same people will happily pay silly money for chrome hubcaps, private number plates and plasma TV's that are far too big for their living rooms!
Funnily enough, I've had the company in question on twice today about how working for free would be mutually beneficial to us all!
I had to say to him that I would find a weekly retainer fee much more beneficial and for him to have a think what he can afford and what his budget is and I would see what I can do!
Course there is a word for working for free... charity. You are trying to get your business off the ground not a charity, especially when others are making money from your efforts.
You are right to stick to your guns.
When your business is up, running and making money, then choose charities you would like to support.
