5 Reasons Why You NEVER Give it Away for FREE!
- ptb475
- Sep 1, 2023
- 2 min read
I
f you are a freelance copywriter, then this is a very familiar scenario:
You see an opportunity. You respond. The prospective client loves your resume and looks over your portfolio. You have a chat – on the phone, or via video link – and then you get the big question...
“We want you to do a free test so we can see if you are a good fit for this work.”
Wait... WHAT?!?
Do not say yes.
Do not give your work away for free.
Here are 5 reasons why:
Do you think this client would give away his products or services for free? Ask them. See if they will give you a free widget, or a free hotel stay, or a free car...
You think you’re the only one? Yeah, right. This prospect asked every applicant to supply free copy. So, if the “free test” is for parts of an email drip sequence, then all these “free” auditions add up to a free sequence for this prospect.
No money now... no money later. If this client can’t pay for your work today, what makes you think they will pay you next week or in 30 days, or ever!
Look at my samples. You directed the prospect to your portfolio. You can ask them if they want to see other (more subject specific) samples. And if the prospective client can’t decide if you are a good writer or not through your existing work, they don’t know what they are looking for.
You are a professional. Do you think a doctor will fix your broken arm for free? Do you believe a lawyer will help you with that speeding ticket if you promise her that they will be your paid lawyer for your upcoming murder trial? Professional. That means you get paid.
There is one exception to rule 5. You might want to do some pro bono work for a non-profit organization that is also your personal cause.
I have written copy for free for a client who helped children with cancer, because that is a cause near and dear to me.
So... With that exception, do us all a favor: don’t give the milk away: make them buy the cow!
Peter T. Britton
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