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When To Work for Free
When deciding on pro bono work in graphic design, there are a few things to be mindful of. The first question you have to ask yourself is what’s in it for you. After all, you’re running a business, and there has to be some benefit, albeit not an immediate financial one. Also, don’t forget that people quickly get used to the good stuff (e. g. getting the product for free) and sometimes the transition to paid services can prove a bit problematic for some clients. So, when it is fine to work for free?
#Helping a Family Member
When it comes to family, many rules are thrown into the wind. You simply can’t treat your mom as if she is any other client. Or uncle. There may be some quid pro quo on the side, maybe in the form of a large cake, or something like it. And bluster about you as the guy who designed all that marvelous logos or pages. Word of mouth is the first step in expanding your network of contacts and potential clients.
Of course, that goes when you run a freelance business. If you’re employed in a family company, the salary is due just like any other employee’s.
#Experience and Promotion
As a freelancer, you’re in it to make a living. And one of the reasons to work for free is to show your work to a broader audience via some well-known brand or person. Not only that one-off work for such a client would be a great experience in itself, but it might also do wonders for your self-promotion. Later in your career, that one item in your CV might get you a long way.
That way, you’re sacrificing short-term gains for a lot more long-term ones.
#Non-Profit or Charity Work
The final opportunity for the right kind of work for free is for charities or non-profit organizations. That is good for your CV, of course, but it can also mean supporting a cause you believe in.
When it comes to non-profits, you should beware. They often outsource the tasks to for-profit companies who get paid for their services. If such a for-profit company approaches you and asks you to work pro bono for a non-profit, you should politely decline.
On the other hand, working on a project which earns no cash for anyone involved is fine. And it can also be fun. It all depends on the people and the project.
When You Shouldn’t Work for Free
On the other end of the line are situations when you never should accept to work without pay.
The first (and most common, unfortunately) among those are unpaid internships. Presented as excellent opportunities, unpaid internships are in the least unethical, if not outright illegal. If someone is making money from your work, you should see some part of it. It may be a minimum wage, but at least it’s something. Otherwise, the client is merely taking advantage of you. Understandably, novices in freelancing take such jobs, but they should get away from them as soon as they may be.
Another line of thought to be avoided at any cost goes along the line of “Well, everybody else is doing it.” Well, they aren’t, and neither should you.
Your Time is Valuable, Respect It
When deciding on taking on the clients and evaluating the terms they offer, always remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. You entered freelance waters to make the best of and for yourself, your skills, and your time. Don’t let anyone waste them for their benefit.
