Quit Asking for Free Work
This piece was co-written by Anthony Bolognese and Ellie Krasne-Cohen.
Imagine that you’ve gone to Chili’s and have a great server who is nice, prompt, respectful, and offers your table a free dessert. What a kind gesture! Whether he pays out of his own pocket or the restaurant covers the cost, it makes you happy.
Now consider if you were to ask that waiter for a free dessert… a different story. Are you entitled to a free dessert? Why do others have to pay? Is the waiter uncomfortable? These questions come up when asking for free things, and asking for free work from someone who is self-employed is the same.
I, Ellie, am a policy consultant and writer. I help think tanks and advocacy groups communicate their ideas with messaging and programming strategy. Prior to this, I was in public policy and tech for over ten years. My first experience being asked for free work was a few years ago, before launching my consultancy.
A friend emailed me, saying he had a project for which he needed my expertise. I asked about the project, and he replied, “We need someone to fundraise for an executive director’s salary for a new non-profit organization. You can do the work during your regular workweek at ‘Acme Org’.”
At the time, I was a full-time, salaried employee of “Acme Org.” overseeing 150+ public programs per year; not a job for the faint of heart. I was stunned that a friend asked me to fundraise for someone else’s salary, get nothing in return, and do the work on my employer’s dime and time.
Many non-profit executives will tell you that fundraising is one of the most challenging and important parts of their job, and it takes a true professional to get the job done. It also requires emotional intelligence, cultivating relationships over time, and patience. It is not something you do “during your job”, nor is it done for free.
I (Anthony) am a professional photographer in the DC area. Since starting my first creative services business just after high school, I have been battling the seemingly infinite asks for free work. I’ve been asked to do a lot for nothing; logo design for a friend’s dad’s biker club, video editing for a friend’s YouTube channel, a website for a local business.
Not everyone asking for free work is doing so out of disrespect, though it may feel that way. Some are unaware of the market cost for certain services and the value that corresponds with it.
Let’s take headshots for example. I don’t expect the company hiring me to research corporate headshot photography pricing. When they audibly gasp at my quote over the phone (true story), I educate them about my pricing and the value that corresponds with it.
Why is asking for free work distinct from people volunteering their time and services?
Time is a precious, nonrenewable resource. All self-employed people, whether we are photographers or consultants, use our years of experience to bring our clients the best we can offer. Asking for free work assumes that our experience and expertise are literally worthless. But, there is something that those on limited budgets and their potential vendors can do.
But, freelancers can donate their time to organizations in need. For years, I (Ellie) volunteered teaching English as a second language to adults, and I (Anthony) have offered photography for a national philanthropic non-profit.
Organizations with a limited budget can share that information at the beginning along with their needs and be open to discussing terms that make both parties happy. Is the desired result something nobody in-house knows how to do? If they know how, do they have the equipment or capacity? Likely, the person you’re looking for can fulfill those business needs. Beginning with an open conversation about goals and budget will create a good partnership.
Whether you are a vendor looking for a service provider or a self-employed person, we hope you’ll consider this article next time the topic of free work comes up!
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This piece was co-written by Anthony Bolognese and Ellie Krasne-Cohen.
Anthony Bolognese is a former AF DC assistant director and a current entrepreneur in the DC area. He owns Capitol Hill Photo, Capitol Hill Clothiers, Embassy Cigar Lounge, and the coming-soon Carbonara Restaurant and Wine Bar. He also hosts The Getting Dressed Podcast with fellow former AF-DC Hub Director Leah Nalepa.
Ellie Krasne-Cohen is a policy consultant and writer who works with think tank and advocacy group executives. She is an alum AF’s Writing Fellowship. Her work has been featured in Jewish News Syndicate, Washington Examiner, The Des Moines Register, and more. She has a MA from The University of Chicago and lives in Paris, France.
Learn about how she can work with your think tank or advocacy group at www.elliekrasne.com