15 Ways to Say No to Free Work
Free work might lead to opportunities for paid work. But that doesn’t mean you should do it.
The Creative Build is free. Help support my mission to bring business education to creative professionals by buying me a coffee or sharing this publication with others.
Why are emerging artists expected to work for free?
Yesterday I saw a message from a gallery owner who gets frequent requests for free art.
She mentioned a well-funded nonprofit who had received millions in donations to build a new building. They budgeted for construction, furniture, landscaping, a parking lot. All paid for with unrestricted donations.
But they didn’t budget for art. They asked if the gallery owner knew any artists who would be willing to create free art for the building.
She refused and gave them a piece of her mind.
That nonprofit had assumed that, unlike carpenters, roofers, pavers, and landscapers, artists would be willing to work for free.
And they’re not alone. Even though creative professionals enhance our lives every day, the expectation seems to be that creatives stay poor.
Let’s change that.
Treat Requests as Sales
My mission is to help creatives build wealth. That includes equipping you with the knowledge and skill to price your work.
If you want help with the fundamentals of pricing, check out this article:
Think about any request for free work as just another sales discussion. It signals opportunity for work at a starting price of $0.
Yes, you should say no to that price. But it doesn’t mean you should immediately dismiss the requestor. They could be a link to paid work.
How you say no depends on the situation. Someone approaching you to do free work might just need to be nudged toward finding a budget to pay you. You should treat that person differently than someone who obviously devalues creatives and exploits them.
The big lesson: save the pettiness for when it’s warranted.
To show you what I mean, here are three different situations with suggested responses that fit.
First Timer Grace
Someone from a well-funded nonprofit approaches you for free work. They’re new at their role, were told to go find art donations, and never thought to question the idea that artists should work for free. This might be an opportunity to turn the requestor into an advocate for paid work.
Here’s how you might respond:
I don’t work for free but I’d love to work with you. What would it take to find funding for this?
I don’t work for free but I’d love to talk about how else I can support your cause. Are you open to chat about your organization’s goals?
I don’t work for free but I love the cause. I’m happy to discuss a discount from my usual rates.
I don’t work for free but I have some ideas for the space that I’d love to share. When can we meet?
I don’t work for free but my work would really elevate the space. Who might I talk to about getting paid for the project?
Hopefully you noticed the pattern. Make it known that you don’t work for free then ask for more discussion to explore paid work. This approach isn’t just for well-funded nonprofits. You might use it to manage requests from businesses too.
Friends and Family Boundaries
A friend asks you to paint a family portrait for free. You might feel obligated and even want to consider it, but you know if you do free work once, word will get out and others will take advantage of you.
The trick here is to establish a business policy on pricing and work for friends and family before you get the request. This keeps your response from being personal and helps you prepare to have tough conversations.
I don’t do free work for friends but my commission rates are reasonable. Let’s talk!
That sounds like fun! I’d love to do the work but I don’t do free work for friends and family. My standard commission rate for portraits is $1000.
I’m running a business and free work would hurt my brand and my financial situation. But my pricing is reasonable. Would you like to chat about it?
I have a policy of no free work for my business. Do you have a budget for this?
I’d love to paint your beautiful family. I can’t do it for free but I’m happy to discount my rate for you since we’re friends.
Responding to Obvious Exploitation
A property manager is finishing a new building and approaches you with a request for free work. The request includes a long list of reasons they can’t pay you and the benefits you’ll get by working for free. This includes vague benefits like “exposure” or promises for future paid work.
Sometimes it’s obvious when you’re being exploited. When it is, don’t hold back.
Great! I’ll start as soon as you provide a letter from my landlord certifying that I can pay rent with “exposure.”
No and I’m surprised the roofers worked for free. They didn’t? That’s interesting.
Lot’s of people pay me for my work. You should join them.
Why exactly is your lack of budgeting my problem?
Have you tried dumpster diving? Might fit the aesthetic you’re going for.
Don’t wait your time with people who exploit creatives. Shut them down and get the word out about them in your community.
This Week
The next time you get a request for free work, pause and assess the situation.
Could an opportunity for paid work be hiding behind the request?
Does a well-meaning person need to be taught with a boundary?
Are you clearly being exploited?
Make a call and respond accordingly.
Got a question or an insight to share? Reach out or leave a comment.
Want more help like this to boost your creative business? Now’s your chance.