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I Ain’t Working for Free (And Neither Should You)

Occupy Ottawa, October 2011
Occupy Ottawa, October 2011

In the real world, I am an English-to-French translator, as well as a bilingual copywriter, editor and proofreader. I am self-employed and like most freelancers, I am always looking to expand my portfolio of clients.

Regularly, I apply for freelance writing and editing gigs that match my skills, I contact translation agencies and I keep a close eye on the market even though I already have a few regular clients that keep me busy.

And you wouldn’t believe the crap I have to put up with as a freelancer.

Recently, I contacted a potential client who, according to the job ad he published online, was looking for several copywriters and translators. I sent my resume, a cover letter and a short introduction by email. I received a lightning-fast reply: “Can you take an editing test?” I sure can. Tests are standard in the industry—they are the best way to show off your skills.

I completed the test and the potential client was pleased with the results. He offered me the gig a few days later. The catch was in the last sentence of his email: “You will see, it’s a great ‘byline’ experience—and a way to expand your portfolio!”

Oh, so you are not going to pay me for that ten-hours-a-week copywriting gig?

I will pass on the “opportunity”.

I wish that the potential client would have specified he was looking for skilled professionals willing to work for free—it would have saved me the hassle of completing the test and contacting him in the first place.

I sent a polite email explaining that I had enough work experience under my belt to expect to be paid and that I was not looking to volunteer my skills at the moment.

Unpaid gigs can be okay in some circumstances. For instance, to gain work experience in a new field, to help out charities, not-for-profit organizations or NGOs who typically have small budgets, to develop a specific project, etc.

But it certainly shouldn’t be expected in a normal client-to-freelancer business relationship.

In the example above, the client was a major Canadian company. I understand freelance budgets are tight, but you can’t expect me to work for free. I have bills to pay too!

Unfortunately, “creative” types such as designers, photographers, copywriters, musicians, etc. are often asked to volunteer their skills and talents under the false pretense of “building their portfolio”, “gaining experience and exposure” and so on.

It is the same in the blogging world. Pretty much every week, I get an email from a new travel website or Canadian news website inviting me to contribute with a few articles—for free. “You will get traffic from us!” “We are the fastest-growing website in that niche!” “We are reaching billions of people!” “Think of the exposure!”

No, thank you. I will not provide free content for your new website. Seriously, what’s in there for me? What do I gain by contributing? Traffic? I doubt it if you publish my articles on your website with a tiny “byline” link.

Working for free or for peanuts is rarely a good idea. First of all, you set a bad precedent: when you accept unpaid gigs, clients see freelancers as disposable and always willing to contribute for free. Second, your work is valuable and you deserve to be paid for your efforts. Writing, for instance, may not sound as serious as performing brain surgery or launching a rocket into space, but it takes the right set of skills to get a point across, to make sentences flow, to make an impact. Photography isn’t just about “having an expensive camera and pressing on the shutter button”—not everyone can compose a picture and capture the right moment, not to mention the technical skills to actually produce a good snapshot. Designers don’t just “click a few buttons on Photoshop” to make pretty icons and banners.

Other professionals don’t work for free. Creative people shouldn’t either.

And incidentally, neither should immigrants.

Don’t get me wrong: volunteering can be a great way to rebuild a network in your field when you arrive in Canada, gain Canadian work experience and to update or expand your skills.

Just make sure you are not being taken advantage of. I know, this is easier said than done! I personally think volunteering (outside your favourite charity or cause to support) should be a win-win experience, should be limited in time and have clear objectives. Don’t think for a minute that employers will hire you after you worked for free for a few months—why would they? They can just hire another intern who, like you, won’t be on the payroll!

Don’t get fooled by the Canadian experience “catch-22”. Your foreign degrees and work experience are worth something. These ads I found on Craiglist Ottawa are a good example of the “we need very skilled and qualified employees but oops, we won’t pay them” trend:

I had several great volunteering experiences. For instance, I was an event photographer for various associations in Ottawa, I volunteered my language skills to edit resumes for new Canadians, I tutored kids in France, I generally give my pictures a “non-commercial” creative commons license, etc.

But I have to draw the line somewhere and I refuse unpaid gigs when the client is a for-profit business.

I am not working for free and neither should you.

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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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