A couple of days ago, Raul wrote a blog post titled “The economics of free or why I won’t do things for free anymore.” As a well-educated freelancer and consultant with a wealth of experience, it is only fair that Raul should charge what he is worth.
Even so, he has gladly volunteered his time to contribute back to the social media community in the form of live-blogs and other kinds of event coverage. As a result, some people are starting to assume that because he can work for free that he should work for free.
I left a comment on his blog and I thought it was worth sharing in this space as well:
“A big part of the problem is that there are so many people who are willing to undervalue their work. As such, people have come to expect “freelance bloggers” to be able to produce quality content for a couple dollars a post or, worse, in exchange for “exposure.”
I’m sorry, but “exposure” doesn’t pay the bills. While I have no problem giving back to the community by helping out a local non-profit or charity, I will not do the same for any for-profit organization. Just because I’m a “freelance” writer does not mean that I will work for free.”
First and foremost, you have to respect yourself as a freelancer. As part of this self-respect, you have to learn how to value your work and your contributions. What I do and what you do is valuable. You have to remember that freelance writing, at least for me, is not a hobby; it’s a business and it’s my livelihood.
If you were employed in an accounting firm and your boss asked you to work full-time next month for no money, would you agree? Probably not. By the same accord, it should not be assumed that the services offered by freelance writers, designers, and consultants will be offered for free. We may work from home and we may work based on our own schedules, but we are still working and we should be compensated as such.
As I mentioned in my comment on Raul’s blog, “exposure” doesn’t pay the bills. I may be willing to take on a slightly reduced rate if I’m venturing into a less familiar area to expand my portfolio, but you should expect the rate to shift in the future, just as rates shift for any other kind of professional product or service.
Recognize that the work you do for your freelance clients provides a great deal of value. It would only be fair for you to charge a rate appropriate to the amount of value a client is extracting as a result. Just because you’re a freelancer does not mean that you work for free.
Excellent post, Michael – your comment on my site (and thanks for the linkage and the kind words) is totally spot-on.
I think you’ve given a lot back to the community as well in your blog, and the great thing is that I think at some points, this giving will give back. I certainly respect your writing a lot.
Aside from the possibility of charitable work, this is really the only context where I am willing to “work for free,” so to speak. This is my blog (and my Twitter), so while I am providing the content for free, it is partly self-serving as well.
Then again, this blog makes very little money in and of itself, at least directly.
I completely agree. As an indie myself, I am always looking for the next thing. What’s going to pay the bills. But I am always being asked to do things at a cut rate, or for free. Friend of a friend discount. At the end of the day, I have to keep a roof over not only my head, but the heads of my wife and kids.
Also, knowing what the going rate, given your experience, can be quite delicate. Just because the economy is in the toilet, doesn’t mean you should totally devalue your work either. As, when the economy bounces back, employers aren’t just going to up your salary out of the goodness of their hearts.
Chris Brogan jumped in with a great post today called The Audacity of Free.
Yeah, saw that (primarily, because Chris told me he was going to link to my post) 😀
nice post.. sometimes i post for free also.. but money that’s all i need
As a computer consultant as a side job from school tech work I try to do both free and paid work. Some exposure is needed, so I will do some minor setup of an SSID or the like for someone. Now that is with the understanding that I get to advertise the fact I’ve done work for them or get to place advertising at their store and on their web page for free. So, it really isn’t free, it’s a barter situation.
Now, I do have a regular client that owns a business who pays me very well when I’m needed and sends work my way, but he also goes above the required. An example is last night I stopped at his place after 6pm to work on his network. When I got there he got me a soda and actually ordered a pizza for me since he knew I had been on the go all day and had not eaten. In the end I was there for almost 2 hours but only charged for 1. He also got me another job for today that more than made up for the time I didn’t charge for last night.
It’s all a balancing act. Yin/Yang, free/paid they go hand in hand.
I’m sure you have been doing exemplary writing gigs in your writing career but one thing kept bugging me, why do you still continue to label yourself as a “freelancer”?
Since you repeatedly empathsize that writing to you is not a hobby, but a business and a livelihood, and I’m sure you have gardner enough exposure and experience to call yourself a professional writer.
So why still “freelance writer”?
I do consider myself a professional writer, but I am also a freelancer. By definition, a freelance writer is available to write for any client who is willing pay him or her. I am available for hire without having an exclusive employment agreement with any single client.
Just as an aside, Dictionary.com defines freelance as:
1. A person who sells services to employers without a long-term commitment to any of them.
2. An uncommitted independent, as in politics or social life.
3. A medieval mercenary.
I don’t think #3 applies to you Michael.
What makes you so sure? By day, I am a professional blogger and freelance writer. By night, I… well, I’ve already said too much.
I thought by afternoon/evening you were a freelancer…. I must do some internet digging for a mercenary with a medieval sword named Kwan.
Now you are confusing us with your rhetoric of being a professional writer, and a freelancer at the same time.
Or is this a possible case of identity crisis?