Freelancers - Is Working for “Free” Ever Acceptable?
My apologies go out to all of you who were expecting a blog posting today! Today was one of those days when I had to put family first, and I have not been able to be at the computer until now. Here is what I had in mind to post today - how much are you charging for your freelance work? Do you let the client name the price (as I understand is common when applying for freelance jobs), or do you name the rate with a “take it or leave it” attitude? Do you ever work for free? And no, I’m not crazy for asking this - I know plenty of freelancers who took their first gigs for free in order to “build their portfolio” and position themselves in the self-employed world. I myself even did a few things for free before I realized, “I don’t have to be doing this!” In my honest opinion, if you work for free (and are not in college where working for free is more acceptable, given you are working for school credits), you are being taken advantage of.
Run away from any employer/company who promises you a “great opportunity” and a “chance to build your portfolio” in exchange for you working for free. Even steer clear of those who mention that compensation can be further down the road - further down the road, when? When they got all the work they needed out of you and tell you “it’s not working out?” Stop them right there and say “Thank you, but no thank you.” Nine times out of ten, these will be some of the worst clients you will ever have. Why? Because they don’t see the value of what you offer.
Now, I don’t mean to say working for free is never a good idea. If you want to do something nice for a friend that has done a lot for you, or a family member who could really use it - by all means, do it. Heck, maybe you can trade your work with a friend or family member for something you need or want - like homemade dinners or financial coaching. Believe in the power of barter.
If you have found a wonderful non-profit or charitable organization who could really use the help, offer it to them if you can spare the time. When the work you are doing for free comes from the goodness of your heart, it’s worth it. (And remember these are only my opinions.)
Now, the last point for tonight. Is working for free, with the promise of a payoff later, worth it? Well, it depends, working for a percentage of a project once completed can be a win-win for both parties. But you must believe in the project, and ensure that it is a valid one likely to pay off.
In summary, when it comes to working for free, only you can decide if it is worth it for you. Only you can determine the value of your work.
Have questions on this topic? Want to know more about the rates freelancers charge, and what you should be charging? Just let me know!
Have a great weekend, everyone.
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Karissa,
I would like to know what an inexperienced freelance copy editor/proofreader would charge to get the position. I have a secretarial science degree (AS) which I used for about 5-6 years professionally actually working in a printing company as well as other offices. Since then, I have gained a BS in Occupational Therapy which is how I make my living. However, I have always wanted to work from home. I feel confident that I could do the job. I’m just not sure how much I could charge initially since I haven’t edited magazine articles or books specifically. (Although I have caught some of the errors in some books I have read). What is your advice on this subject. I saw a copy editor/proofreader position posted that I would like to apply for, but I don’t know how much pay to request . Thanks for your input.
Crystal C
Where does one find information about freelance wages across the country?
I’m interested in a variety of fields, from graphic design to audio/video work.
I’d like to know what an employer is likely to expect to pay in his area, before I propose a wage that seems astronomically high or astonishingly low.
I’d really like to see some kind of color coded “freelance wage elevation map” of the country for various freelance gigs. That’d be cool.
Hi Crystal and Dan - thank you for your questions! In fact, you both gave me the topic I will write about for Wednesday - how much to charge as a freelancer, what other freelancers are charging, etc. I will provide you with resources on how to go about setting your wages.
If it helps any, Crystal, I have done many freelance editing jobs and charge a rate of $30 to $40 an hour. So far, it’s a rate that has worked well for me and my clients!
I will post more info on Wednesday. In the meantime, if you think of any more questions, please do let me know!
Jan 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
[...] 4.) What about clients that state their budget and it’s way off from what you charge? Well, this is up to you to decide to take the project or not. What you can do is get the details about the project and estimate the timeframe. Add a week or two for delays and interruptions. Then work out what the hourly rate will be based on the budget. If it is considerably less than what your time is worth, don’t apply. There are always other jobs. On the other hand, if you are just starting out, perhaps it will be wise to get a couple projects under your belt while you build your portfolio. (But remember, don’t do anything for free!) [...]