You’ve likely received a request for unpaid work at some point in your freelance writing career—whether from a potential client, a colleague, or a friend looking for a favor.

It's okay to hesitate when evaluating a rogue request from a friend to “take a quick look” or “knock out a few easy pieces” of their content. More often than not, accepting these types of gigs means doing free work…and doing free work means less time for paid work.

Ask: Does the project make sense for you?

Imagine you are a plumber instead of a freelance writer. How would you feel if someone said they would only hire you after you fixed the leakage in their bathroom—for free? That’s ridiculous, right? Right.

“What sort of professional would work for free? Take yourself seriously as a business owner so others will take you seriously.”

Many freelance writers, particularly those from journalism backgrounds, may consider it acceptable for clients to request free work, as it's common for new writers to do unpaid tests in newsrooms. However, in most cases, it's not appropriate for clients to ask for free work from freelancers.

It is also important to assess the practices and norms in the industry you are working in to determine whether or not to do free work. In some cases, free work might be appropriate, like in the case of applying for a full-time, in-house role. Ask around and get a sense of if this is a standard practice (or if you’re being taken advantage of.)

“If it is a full-time role, the writing test makes sense. If it is not a full-time role, you should get paid for a test project.”

Should you deny unpaid work entirely?

We aren't saying all free work is a no-go. For example, consider doing a sample for a client if they want to hire you for a 20-hour-per-week, six-month contract to see if you fit with their brand's voice. But for smaller paying projects, providing a sample may not be worth your time and effort. It’s important to evaluate the long-term outcome in a cost/benefit analysis.

Another instance in which you may consider doing a free sample is if you're a new writer. Without an established portfolio, providing free samples can be a way to showcase your skills and build your portfolio, so you have great work to spotlight there.

When you get a request to do unpaid work, these are the three questions you need to ask yourself:

Is this project valuable enough for me to consider doing free work?
What is the limit to the amount of free work I am willing to do, if any?
Will this free work negatively impact my professional image?

You also need to consider that doing a free assignment for a potential client can set a tone for the rest of your working relationship and create a skewed power dynamic. This can make it difficult to ask for better rates or push back on future requests outside the original agreement.

Dream clients: What if they want you to work for free?

What if a client you *really* want to work with requests a free sample from you?

You can propose a counteroffer that provides value to both parties. A paid consultation call can be a stepping stone for a larger project. You can demonstrate your expertise and showcase your ability to provide value to the client while getting paid. Alternatively, you could offer a paid initial project at a discounted rate.

Counteroffers show you value your time and expertise and establish clear boundaries for future collaborations.

What about free work for friends and family?

Suppose the person asks for your professional opinion or advice, such as looking at their website or personal social media pages and suggesting improvements. In that case, there’s no harm in providing some guidance. It’s low stakes.

However, if they ask you to create content/strategy for their business website or social media channels, it's important to approach the situation professionally. This could be a LOT of work.

In this case, you can explain that you charge for your services as a freelance writer and that providing free work is not sustainable for your business. Again, maybe a discount makes it feel like both parties are getting a bit more benefit.

For instance, even though we are friends, we have hired each other for various projects over the years instead of expecting free work. You get what you pay for, after all. Unpaid work is never your best work.

Working for free: The freelance writer’s dilemma

There is no one size fits all solution to this dilemma. While it may seem like a good way to get your foot in the door or build a relationship with a potential client, doing unpaid work comes with disadvantages.

Thankfully, clients asking for free work have reduced drastically for us. But if a client asks you, and you decide to provide free work, it's crucial to establish clear boundaries and expectations with the client from the outset. This includes defining the project's scope, setting a timeline, and outlining what you expect in return.

At the end of the day, the key is to value your time and expertise as a freelancer.

Should you work for free as a freelance writer?