Should You Ever Work for Free?

Should you ever work for free? Now, that's a question that often pops up in small business, creative, and freelance circles. Now, hold up there a moment. I always hear you say work for free - not a chance, but it's not always that straightforward. Let's dive in. Welcome to another episode of I Hate Numbers.

Now, why do people actually say yes to free work? Well, sometimes the offer is extremely tempting. Somebody says, think of the exposure. It'll get your name out there. Exposure, that golden word. But here's the truth. Exposure doesn't pay your bills. You can't feed your family on likes and shares. I’d want that you could.

Now, in some cases it can actually work out if it genuinely puts you in front of the right people. If the audience matches your target clients, those will pay next time, then fine. It may be worth looking at. But exposure must be a stepping stone, not the reward in itself. Now another reason small businesses do it is building a portfolio, especially important if you're just starting out or pivoting into something new.

A few unpaid projects can help you gather examples, collate case studies, and get testimonials. Now, in my early days of my business, I did that. I treated it like development, training, a way to promote yourself, not a way of life, not the way I wanted my business to be structured. And then there's always the passion projects.

Maybe it's a charity, something close to your heart. Maybe it's a mate community project or simply something that stimulates you, lights your creative fire, and that's cool. But passion projects should feel exciting, not exhausting. Now, are there dangers of working for free? Well, short answer, absolutely.

Your rent, your groceries, your business costs, they all need cold, hard, cash. Likes and exposure don't pay HMRC, your energy bill or your accountant's bill. Cough, cough. And here's the kicker, saying yes too often to unpaid work devalues what you do. You risk also sending out a message that your time and skill just aren't worth paying for.

If a company or a client can afford to pay but chooses not to, then you are effectively subsidising their profits. And worse, it has a knock on effect for other people in your industry as well. When one person works for free, it becomes much harder for everyone else to charge fairly. Now, there's also the burnout factor.

Too many freebies will lead to exhaustion, resentment, and loss of joy in what you do. You didn't start your business to end up drained, or did you? Now, is there a balance to be found? Absolutely. So how do you decide when to say yes and when politely to say no? Now I've got a quick checklist for you to keep you sharp and to preserve your sanity.

Number one, what's the benefit? What's the benefit to you? And be real about it. Don't get dragged in by emotional baggage. Number two, are you choosing freely or is somebody guilt tripping you, shaming you into it? That's not a good look. Number three, can they afford to pay? Now, even charities you might ask you to do this (worthy causes

here) will still have budgets and that in itself doesn't mean that they can justify not rewarding you at all. Number four, are you setting a precedent not only for yourself, but for others? And lastly, number five, does it feel right? Your gut is a great business tool. Don't dismiss it out of hand. Now, if something feels not quite right, if it feels off, it probably is.

Now, how can you actually say no without upsetting people too much and without burning bridges? Now saying no does not equate to being rude or being arrogant. It's being professional. Now, here's a few things for you to try, a sample script if you want. You could say, thanks for thinking of me. I'd love to collaborate, but I can't commit to unpaid projects right now.

Alternatively, if you have a budget in the future, I'd be happy to chat. It's short, it's polite, firm, no guilt, no waffle. Obviously adapt for your use. Now here's another little tip. If you do decide to do a free job, invoice it anyway, put your usual fee on it and then apply a hundred percent discount.

That way, the client understands the real value of what they would be paying for and what they're getting. So it's a good psychological tool. Now, some final thoughts and wrap up if you want. Working for free isn't evil. It can sometimes be a very smart strategy, but it should be your choice, your strategy, not habitual behaviour.

Do it when it helps you grow, build your network or feel good about a course you actually believe in. But always remember your time, your expertise, your creativity, all have a value. Because every time you undervalue your work, you'll train and teach others to do exactly the same. So here's the golden rule, working for free, make it as part of a strategy, a conscious choice, not a lifestyle.

Now folks, I hope you found this episode helpful. I'd love it if you could share it, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, download those episodes, and if you really want to transform your relationship with money and business, grab a copy of my book, I Hate Numbers. It's straight talking, humorous, practical, and made to help you plan it, do it, and profit.

And remember your work has worth, charge what you're worth and never apologise for valuing your time. Until next time, plan it, do it and profit.