Why you should work for free (sometimes)

We know, it sounds crazy.

It’s also the opposite of what most people will tell you, but we stand by it. Because sometimes, working for free has its benefits.

Obviously you can’t work for free all of the time, because well - bills, y’all. But, here are a few examples of when working for free might make sense for you and your small business.

Photography by Kelsey Butcher

When to work for free

• When you want to provide a new service or offering, but haven’t nailed down the details. Offering it once free of charge means that you can map out your process, understand how long will go into that service, and then price it accordingly.

• Are you really interested in getting to work with a brand that you may not have worked with otherwise? Sometimes this comes into play when they’re hosting events and they want a service provided free of charge. If you know that you’ll have the opportunity to get in front of your ideal clients and make a good impression with said brand, do it.

• Looking to support a fellow small business? Perhaps they have something they can offer you in exchange for your services. For example, are you an illustrator but have no clue how to build a website that converts your potential customers to paying customers? There’s no harm in asking a friend (if you know one) who’s particularly skilled in Squarespace, Wordpress, etc.

Now, before you go ahead and start offering up free work all willy nilly, it’s important to communicate with whomever you’re working with that this is a collaboration for trade. That means that they’ll be willing to answer any questions you may have and be open to providing feedback and recommendations to help you mold that work for when you will be charging for it.

What are some instances in which you would work free of charge? Have you found that it is worth it in those cases?

- Gabriella