Do not work for free

[MrGamma]

I thought it would be really important to advertise this campaign discussing the common mis-conceptions held by some newer graphic desingers ( or new professionals in general ) that working for free is a good way to get a start in the industry...

In fact... working for free starves the industry... The age of the union is over...

http://www.no-spec.com

Hopefully I don't get banned for posting this... but here is a classic example of people taking advantage of potentially hundreds of people...

http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/contest/2687

An orthodontist easily makes thousands of dollars a month... Can you fill a Lexus gas tank for $125.00 dollars?

[Tieras]

So what about bartering? There has to be a way for designers to get started with little experience and few clients. I honestly stuck to my guns and did nothing for free. What I got was five years of scraping the barrel with no leads and having to get a part time job to make ends meet. Oh wait! I'm still there now.

There has to be a middle ground solution. Do you have one?

[Tips]

The only time to work for free is when a nonprofit is in dire need -- and usually only after you're already established -- AND -- the work will be in a high visibility situation.

What Mr. Gamma is talking about is "spec" work... meaning you design the design (sometimes amongst lots of others competing for the same job) and then "IF" the design is chosen, you get paid.

These situations seldom have a happy ending for the designer, and they do tend to erode work from the design "community"

The scenario Mr. Gamma cites (Sitepoint "bid wars") is precisely why we endorse DesignQuote (http://www.dtg-forums.com/graphic_design_jobs.php) as a 'leads generator' rather than 'bidding wars' ...

See: http://www.photoshop911.com/images/NOTE.gif Lead Services: Pros and Cons (http://www.graphic-design.com/DTG/Business/getting_leads.html)

NO ONE who knows about this should have to engage in bid wars or spec work. There's lots of work for all.

http://www.photoshop911.com/images/NOTE.gif See our Jobs Postings (http://www.dtg-forums.com/graphic_design_jobs.php)

[Tieras]

I totally agree about the nonprofits in need. I totally understand about the spec work. My sticky issue is getting the work in the first place.

[TOLETTA]

I totally agree about the nonprofits in need. I totally understand about the spec work. My sticky issue is getting the work in the first place.

What types of activities are you doing to market or advertise your business? Do you advertise on www.kijiji.com or www.craigslist.org? I hired two graphic / web designers this way. Do you look at company websites located in your city and then cold call the marketing person in charge to have a chat? Never be afraid to use the phone. I call people all the time to drum up business and sell.

One of the best ways to get your foot in the door could be to offer a free website template or logo. Customer only pays if they like it. Website template is not fuctional just a mock up made in illustrator or something.

I hope this helps.

TOLETTA

[Rachel Mayers]

Important tip! it doesn't matter what you've been promised never work for free!!

[Riccur]

I have learned that not working for free really hurts the company or person you are working for, because the things you do may not be as good because oyu are not getting something for your services. Even if it is just a little money that owuld be better.

[Tieras]

Toletta,

I have done all of those things. I'm a little concerned. The thread says don't work for free and yet you say to offer a free template or logo. If the customer pays for it - it's not free. Seems a bit misleading.

[gavner]

i think its bad to work for free, you just need to learn how to market yourself