Response to a client asking for free Work.
Hey guys,
Occasionally I get someone asking me to do work for them in exchange for "references", meaning I do the work for them, they tell their friends about me. This particular "client" has been a little persistent, and went from offering me 250$CA (My initial offer) for her logo to 100$ (she came up with the font, she just wants me to create the "icon")
I didn't respond back, and today I got another email from her asking me to do it for free, and she'll tell her friends about me.
Well, today, I decided to have a bit of fun with her. I'm going to respond back, but I want it to be funny, maybe even a bit creative. By no means do I want to insult her, but just have her know that I don't work for free.
My response goes something like this:
Dear XXX
I won't be able to do the "icon" (read: logo) for you for free. But I was thinking, upon reading your last email, would you be able to offer me your freelance accounting services for free in exchange for me telling my friends about you?
Sincerely,
Peterson
I like it, it's straightforward, but I know how creative you guys can get sometimes, and wanted to know: is there anything you guys want to add or change? Be creative!
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The answer to this is
The answer to this is "No". More specifically, arrange a meeting with her and ask for more info about her job. Then tell her you'll be ready with an hourly rate and a contract when you meet.
It's a rare occasion when you work for "free" and even then it should be for some kind of benefit more than "references".
www.no-spec.com
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
I'd love to meet with her,
...but she's across the pond, in the UK. In the past I've answered a straight up no to clients, this time, I want to really make her see how stupid it is to ask someone to work for free.
I know more than I need to know: She wants a logo. She wants it cheap/free.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Tell her about the fast,
Tell her about the fast, cheap, good triangle. She can only pick two of those. Notice she can't pick FREE. Tell her that. Should do the trick.
Remember too that these types of clients can't be taught. It's the designers out there who need to be educated, namely the poor sap who takes on this client and works for nothing.
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
She should get the message
She should get the message with that response. And what does she plan to tell her friends about you anyway? He's the sucker who did my logo for free?
I'll have to try that with my mechanic. Will you fix my car in exchange for "references" ? And my doctor, and my accountant, and my tailor... :-)
No.
No.
...
This, is a classic.
But I don't want to be implying that she's an asshole!
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Nice start, Peterson, and
Nice start, Peterson, and what a juicy tidbit to offer up to us. Thanks!
Dear XXX
What a novel concept--working for free. I've never thought of offering my services with no payment in mind unless it's a pro bono project for a needy children's foundation. Is this how you conduct business as well? I would love to learn more about this practice as I know of several people who would really like to receive their accounting for free.
However, as I'm a little green when it comes to working in this capacity, I feel that to ease into it that I should adhere to my initial quote of $250. Perhaps over time, I'll become more comfortable with this method, but feel at this point that it just wouldn't be right working for free.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely,
Peterson
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa
EEEEEK!
This person is clearly a moron. Don't waste a single minute more of your valuable time on her, not even for laughs.
Mara
I like your response. The
I like your response. The only downfall is she may (or may not) tell people that you're a mean person... lol...
I like the person above's comment "what will they tell the other people? that you will work for free?". EXACTLY. You don't want her references!!!!
you should write your email,
you should write your email, then just post it here.
your response to the "client" should be that you don't do work for free (and "word of mouth advertising" is not financial compensation), unless it's pro-bono for non-profit organizations that you choose to support. if she continues to harangue you about it, just repeat the mantra.
it's very cathartic to write emails like that. it's generally better not to send them.
Ah yes, cleansing for the
Ah yes, cleansing for the soul, but you never send them. Agreed.
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa
If I do send the email
It's more to show her and hopefully educate her about pro-bono work, and make her see that if the tables were turned, she might not think it's such a good idea.
That, and pasting the www.no-spec.com link to the email.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Wow, man, not the no-spec
Wow, man, not the no-spec link...
*Zing.* :)
You know your client and how best to handle them. Had one similar and I did have "a discussion" with them. I didn't lose them (and at that point I frankly didn't care) but our working relationship has been a lot easier and smoother since.
Good luck.
3dog
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa
Oh, she's not even a client
And at this point she's not even a potential. We went from talking about 250$ to "referrals". I doubt I ccan save her and try to meet her halfway, let alone at the price I want. And to be honest, in my experience, she isn't even worth the trouble, cause I seriously doubt I would take her to court for 250$, what with her being in the UK and what not.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Leaky: Why all the
Leaky: Why all the gymnastics? Just tell her No and move on.
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
True
..to be honest, I never simply said no. I just gave her my initial offer, she responded she'll think about it. She came back about two weeks later, said she had the font chosen, that she just needed the "icon", which she would pay 100$ for. I didn't respond and a week later, her offer to refer me to her friends.
Well, I guess she'll be getting my final answer to her emails in the morning.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Well, looky here
Yet another offer this morning pops up.
Gooday All (he cc'd about 9 other designers)
I recently started a business of computer sales, repairs and everything else basically computer. Only started august 1st problem is I have no logo
Kind of embarrassing for a new business. I found you all on craigslist and I’m hoping to choose one of you to do my logo for me.
I have looked through all of your portfolios and I’m quite impressed final deciding factor would be price and who ever can capture the essence of my business the best in their sample.
I say sample because I would like to see what you can come up with. I have no problem with PDF, or a BIG SAMPLE stamped across the image. Final image would be in a vector format illustrator Photoshop upon payment.
This logo should be versatile enough to blend in with whatever i choose to use it for. Bus card, website, t shirt. Readable font, catchy image and colours or silhouette.
Background info.
Business name : XXX
Website: www.XXX.com
Email:
Address: XXX
Business nature : Computer sales, repairs, websites, networking, upgrades, retail sales
Logo aspects: A dragon of course, not fierce not to much detail but clearly distinguishable as a dragon. Some aspect of computer technology either a PC or a dragon wrapped around a PC, maybe a dragon with a tail as a USB use your imagination.
Please reply with a sample of your design and best price.
I would like to finalise a design and pay for it by 19th august 2008
Thank you
I look forward to hearing from you,
XXX
Regards.Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Maybe you should share the
Maybe you should share the no-spec site with the other designers he CC'd.
sweet! he gives you 4
sweet! he gives you 4 business days to come up with and agree upon the final design, too!
Boring out of the wood like
Boring out of the wood like termites... Some jerks aren't even worth replying to.
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa
I know
It's a little slow at the office, I think I'll answer him and all the other designers on this one. First response he got back, and you'll love this one:
Please kindly go to my website www.XXX.com
on the very first page where there is a PayPal button
simply pay 150 dollars ! ( Amazing thing is, on that designers website, he's advertising logos for $24.99!)
After receiving your payment I would be committed to give you what you want.
Thank you
Friendly
XXX
www.XXX.com
No greeting, nothing. How can a client say no to a deal like that! Pay me now, and I promise I'll do all the work for you!
I even have a Paypal button, on my homepage!
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
$24.99 only gets you generic
$24.99 only gets you generic shapes. if you want a dragon, it's $150.
Holy cow
That's some expensive rendering!
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Logo aspects: A dragon of
Logo aspects: A dragon of course, not fierce not to much detail but clearly distinguishable as a dragon. Some aspect of computer technology either a PC or a dragon wrapped around a PC, maybe a dragon with a tail as a USB use your imagination.
Classic. Bred for their skills in magic.
That's pretty funny. I
That's pretty funny.
I think, though, that you should limit the tongue-in-cheek response to your private venting blog and just come out with a simple black and white "Sorry, I don't offer my services for free. Thank you." sort of response. Keep repeating the same response (copy/paste the email over and over) every time this client asks for "free" work. They'll get it, eventually.
I think even a response in jest could come across as condescending in an email. I understand your desire to educate the person on why it's bad manners to request free work, though, but in my experience, some of the worst things come from good intentions. Let it go and hope some day they'll see the light - you need not be the one to do it.
(in all likeliness, one day they WILL have a client of their own asking them to do their work for free and they'll think "Hey! That's not right!")
Does your company have an ad
Does your company have an ad for clients on craigslist? How did this yokel find you?
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
I do have an ad on Craigslist
amongst MANY other sites advertising my services. Craigslist is pretty notorious for its cheapskates and scammers, but in my experience 1 in about 10 offers are honest and legit, not to mention I make contacts with other deisgners/ developers who compliment my own skillsets, kinda like what Mara was talking about in her other thread.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Just wondering why you are
Just wondering why you are so mystified that you found yet another CL yokel?!
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
Haha
Honestly? I guess its some sort of fascination I have with people who have the gall to actually ask for work for free. I wish I had the balls to try that in the hopes of getting some poor sucker:P
" Well, no Mr Salesman, I don't have the money, but if you *give* me that Macbook pro, I'll tell ALL my friends about you!" :P
I guess they'll never cease to amaze me. Oh well, work is going to pick up starting on Friday morning, so you're right, time to move on.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
I'm surprised your firm has
I'm surprised your firm has time for people like this?
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Natobasso
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
Oh no, not my firm
My own personal freelancing on the side.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Then I'm surprised YOU have
Then I'm surprised YOU have time for this. :)
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
Haha
It was a slow week, but things have picked up now.
Leaky Penny
Aka Artfiend Part Deux
www.leakypenny.com
Harumph. So you were bored
Harumph. So you were bored and decided to waste our time too. Nice. :) Seriously, if any client starts pulling this crap with you again, just kick them to the curb; nicely of course.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
Yeah, I'd reply to all.
Yeah, I'd reply to all. Kudos to the other designer that did. ;)
Honestly, I wouldn't worry about being condescending at this point. She deserves it.
Here's an idea
If I send you a blank Illustrator file, will you send me a blank cheque?
What a load of crap
Honestly, I like your first response the BEST. It's to the point and succinct. Can't get any better than that, IMO.
In fact, I honestly don't think you're being rude at all, you're stating the facts and I think with that simple, yet most effect response, he/she will get the point. Good luck. Do keep us posted.
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"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com