*** Be part of the discussion LIVE ***

Should you do free work?

As I look back on my career so far, I recognise that I have done a lot of free work and I can confidently say it’s a big part of the reason I am where I am today.

Inevitably, it’s easy to see being asked to do something for free as taking advantage, disrespectful, or as something no one should ever do! I see it a little differently. If you can reframe it in a positive way, actually, free work can be of as much benefit to you as someone else.

Growth Opportunity!

if you don’t have the skills, no one will hire you. Use free work to get as much experience as possible in the field you want to be in, and then in the peripheral skills you might not even know about yet that will make you more valuable. This can also be transferred over to genres or ‘scenes’ you want to be playing in.

Connecting

You can be the greatest player in your bedroom, but that ain’t gonna get you working! Use free work as an excuse to expand your network, meet new people, new fans. No one will take a shot on an unknown, so go out there and make some friends by doing some work for free.

Promotion

Visibility is key! Either make sure whatever you’re doing inherently exposes you to a wider audience, and/or leverage the work to share on your social media to keep top of mind for other potential work that you will be paid for! Also, there’s nothing more desirable than someone who is busy and in demand.

BUT BE WARNED! With every opportunity, ask yourself:

What is the time/reward ratio?

What is the amount of time and energy you will have to commit, and what is the potential reward for you? Is it worth it for what you will gain in return? If the answer is no, maybe move away from that request. If it’s a yes, then…

Set a limit 

Always set boundaries for yourself, ie how long you plan to stay with an opportunity before you reassess if it’s still serving you, and also what you’re willing to do within your role.

The Bonus Secret Sauce?

Find opportunities that can hit more than one of the Growth, Connection and Visibility areas and you’ll be getting so much more value than just a few notes in your pocket!

*** Be part of the discussion LIVE ***