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Is it worth working for free?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by James_Ashmore, Mar 2, 2016.

  1. #1
    Handing in a few reports for free has led to different (paid) opportunities for me, and some were pretty unexpected.

    Just wondered if this was fairly common, or if I've been lucky?

    Please share if you have any experience.
     
    Solved! View solution.
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2016
    James_Ashmore, Mar 2, 2016 IP
  2. #2
    Like most things, "it depends". Doing a freebie guest post, for example, can lead to traffic and work. Doing a free (short) sample (and publishing it yourself so they can't) can lead to acceptance. Doing a favour for a friend or colleague can lead to word-of-mouth opportunities. But doing free stuff for random clients can also lead to them saying "thanks" and disappearing for ever, or even hiring someone else.

    Without future potential, I wouldn't do it - except for a friend or fellow freelancer. Those folks who believe in "what goes around comes around" are always worth a hand.
     
    WLEadmin, Mar 2, 2016 IP
  3. CLAYS

    CLAYS Member

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    #3
    If you are working for a startup and do a major contribution to the growth, then it can result to a big result.
     
    CLAYS, Mar 2, 2016 IP
  4. James_Ashmore

    James_Ashmore Greenhorn

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    #4
    Thanks for the measured responses.
     
    James_Ashmore, Mar 2, 2016 IP
  5. JudySlean

    JudySlean Greenhorn

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    #5
    I agree that startup can be free! But if you are a good expert in something, and it is your intellectual property, you must have a price! Try to respect yourself)
     
    JudySlean, Mar 24, 2016 IP
  6. Svetla Vasileva

    Svetla Vasileva Active Member

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    #6
    Working for free is better than working for peanuts, I think.
    Working for free means you are passionate and you are able to focus on your own projects and maybe achieve something you haven't been expecting in the professional aspect.
    I never give up on work. It keeps me breathing and I feel liberated when I work on my ideas.
     
    Svetla Vasileva, Mar 24, 2016 IP
  7. HCFGrizzly

    HCFGrizzly Member

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    #7
    It really depends. If you have the opportunity to learn something while working for free, I would encourage it.
    But if I have nothing to learn, and you ask me to work for free just for the possibility that I MIGHT get paid in the future, you won`t see me doing any work for you.
     
    HCFGrizzly, Mar 24, 2016 IP
    WLEadmin likes this.
  8. WLEadmin

    WLEadmin Active Member

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    #8
    Well said, sir, well said. Same goes for free "samples", which is the oldest scam in the book.
     
    WLEadmin, Mar 24, 2016 IP
  9. sikandar

    sikandar Active Member

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    #9
    Yes, you can work for free in exchange of testimonials. If you are new to any line of business, you can build your reputation fast by offering free services to begin with. As your prospects start trusting you, you will start getting more business.
     
    sikandar, Apr 4, 2016 IP
  10. Senobia

    Senobia Notable Member

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    #10
    Always consider what's in it for you.

    Is it going to increase your exposure?
    Is it going to give you a highly credible reference/clip (major mag, news outlet, organization, etc.)
    Is it going to lead to paid work, for sure - not just maybe?

    If not, invest that time and effort into marketing yourself (writing for your blog, website, etc.).

    On a side note, if it's a non-profit cause you feel passionately about, I'd say go for it.
     
    Senobia, Apr 13, 2016 IP
  11. Samantha Stein

    Samantha Stein Member

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    #11
    It depends on what you are working for and why.

    If you're doing volunteer work for a cause that you truly are passionate about, then I see no harm to it.

    But if you're contributing your skills for the profit of an individual or a business entity, then you should be getting something for your effort.
     
    Samantha Stein, Apr 18, 2016 IP
  12. WebmasterPhil

    WebmasterPhil Member

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    #12
    It's only worth it if you can get something out of it in the long run... such as recognition and samples to present to clients.
     
    WebmasterPhil, Apr 23, 2016 IP