Comments on: Response ≤ Strobist: Four Reasons to Consider Working for Free

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:43:09 +0000

yea – all of town will know you’re the guy that works for free. I’ve been there.

By: Kip Caven

Kip Caven — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:30:38 +0000

I will work for free to get my name out-when i get so busy that its not possible any longer THATS when you start charging…….not only that, but your name will be all over town and the entire city will know who you are and hopefully appreciate your work and know that you are worth whatever you will charge
You wont make much money charging exorbitant prices and waiting for the phone to ring while you watch tv………….just a tought

By: Tuffer

Tuffer — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:53:53 +0000

Very interesting and thought out response. While I think I lean more towards what Strobist was saying (and the Chase Jarvis), I was getting a little weirded out by the lack of any counter response. A lot of just “yeah, that is totally true”. Again, I think a lot of it is true (and to be honest, I think you missed or misconstrued his points in a couple places) but its definitely good to read a response that you obviously put a lot of time into.

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:24:50 +0000

I do barter

I shot a 3 day assignment for my veterinarian after my wife’s dog broke his leg – the photography paid for the expensive operation and pins to heal the compound fracture. An unexpected expense that I couldn’t otherwise have covered.

By: Nathan Reimer

Nathan Reimer — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:43:20 +0000

Thanks for the response, I agree with parts of both viewpoints, but the key as you state is balance.

I’ve done a bit of freelance web/computer work over the last 8 years, starting with friends and family, then a few churches and non-profits, then a few businesses. I have always prized my time as valuable and charged something, but I keep my rates flexible, but always have a rate. I feel that if I didn’t charge something, the motivation on both parties are greatly diminished.

Lately, with the downturn of the economy I’ve explored the art of bartering. I just had my whole 1-acre yard raked and gutters cleaned in exchange for 5 hours of web work. Interestingly, your post, strobist, nor the NYT article failed to mention it. Do you ever barter? What are your thoughts on that?

Also, if you donate your time/products to a non-profit, I think they can provide a receipt for tax-deduction purposes.

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:14:52 +0000

A great NYT article discussing the issue for freelancers