When you run your own small business, you’re sometimes asked to work for free. Musicians say it happens to them all the time. I’m not sure if it’s as much of a problem if you’re in the trades. I don’t see how someone can possibly think you’ll replace a toilet or wiring or put up drywall for free. But maybe they try.
It doesn’t happen to me as often as it used to, partly, I think, because I have a professional reputation now and partly because I’m better at stating a fee for my voice-over work or writing up front. I don’t want anyone to assume they’re getting a freebie, and haggling over it afterward is much tougher than setting terms ahead of time.
Everyone has to start somewhere, but newbies should even barter if they have to. Work has value. But I also understand the anxiety about getting that first job and wanting to do just about anything to make it happen.
I thought about this when I took stock of the regular clients I’ve been working with over the past year or so. Every one of them is a pro who negotiates terms in advance and pays when they say they will. If they want something redone – for example, they’d like a certain line in a script to have emphasis on a different word – they ask with respect and I’m always more than happy to comply. (Note: even when clients don’t ask with respect, I still do what they need!)
I screwed something up technically for a client not long ago and he was really patient while I figured it out and started the entire project over. My error delayed his project and he could have been snippy or angry. Instead, he was a human being who understood that another human being made an unintentional error. And we’re still working together.
Once you’re in a business for a while, you learn to appreciate the good clients. I also believe that like attracts like. I will bend over backwards (figuratively) to complete a job to the customer’s satisfaction. The people who hire me tend to appreciate that and don’t take advantage of it. There will always be the odd duck, but most of the people I do voice-work for these days, don’t make me quackers!
Freebies are a fact of life no matter your vocation and I’ve been down that road many a time. If your into computer support, your the go to person for friends and family not to mention all there friends; if your a financial adviser, everyone you encounter upon finding this out seeks the latest financial tip and if your in the trades, can you quickly stop by to give me a hand is a common refrain.
I recently put an end to a 2 decade freebie after a friend started up his own business. In the beginning he would call me two or three times a week with a quick question and as a long time friend I answered it or offered some advice. Well after about six months of this I finally said to him that I would be unable to provide him with any more support/advice unless I had a signed service contract in hand. I’ve now heard from him 3 times since this and it was just for a friendly chat, no support.