Attn: Writers, Photographers, Artists and assorted Creatives
I have the most magnificent pricing tool, courtesy of the incomparable Sloane Crosley.
I have never seen anything more accurate and yet so simple. That piece you wrote? The hat you knit? The watercolor you painted? It’s worth half of what it would cost you to throw it in the garbage.
Tell me that’s not brilliant. Tell me it’s not helpful. Tell me it’s not true! Quite frankly, the only problem I have with the model is that she gave it away for free. (Tell me that’s not ironic.)
All jokes aside, putting a price on creative services can be a tricky business. Quality is subjective. Supply far outpaces demand. Technically speaking, no one really needs them anyway. This, I believe, is why so many creatives are willing to do the job for next to nothing – to write for “exposure” or perform for “experience.” Why artists will deck the walls just to get a foot in the door. I can’t blame the people for asking because so many of us are truly happy to do it. Art is a labor of love.
Personally, I don’t have any shame in working for experience and exposure (which, for the record, has happened exactly once). I’m living proof that taking a hit today may pay off tomorrow. I’ll play the long game mostly because the short game doesn’t seem that much more lucrative. So if someone at a publication that matters asks me to write on a topic I care about – I’m in. I’ll do it for the thrill.
I know I’m in the minority on this one. So many of my creative friends are adamant about rejecting non-paying jobs simply out of principle. I get their logic. Their time isn’t free and neither is the work. My point that the job may turn into something more doesn’t do much to pay the bills. Their counterpoint that my willingness to work for free is creating unfair market dynamics may very well be true. The only thing that we can agree on is that even if the gig paid, it still wouldn’t be a fair price.
Not wanting to work for free is one thing. That makes sense to me, at least on some level, even if I don’t follow the rule.
What I find a little more confusing is when people decline to have existing work coopted by a third party without receiving a fee. For example, when an amateur photographer refuses a request to have a photo, which is publicly available on Instagram, included on a local newscast or another Instagram account. I understand that content creation isn’t free. But at the same time, I can’t help but point out that the work has already been done. It’s on the internet. It’s already been given away. In this case, it’s not so much turning down an opportunity for lack of payment as it is denying yourself free publicity.
To me, it’s counterproductive to say the least. Every time a fellow blogger proudly announces that they do not allow their posts to be “re-blogged” by another publication, I am equally confused. How could someone buy what isn’t even for sale?
Suggesting that creatives work for free is an unpopular opinion – downright insulting, some may say. And if we’re talking about people who have already turned professional, I’ll be the first to agree. The thought that my college professor, a best-selling author and one-time editor would write and article for nothing more than a byline is absurd. So is the idea that my former aerial instructors perform for the sake of publicity. I don’t blame them for laughing in the face of the person who has the nerve to ask. I don’t even fault them for posting their snippy responses, which include hourly rates and material costs down to the sequin, on social media. Applause doesn’t pay the bills, guys. Their craft is a job just like any other job and they deserve to be compensated fairly.
But for the rest of us – the ones who are new to the field and struggling to make the switch – we’re still taking unpaid work can be something of a necessity. Before we can “know our worth”, we need to prove our worth. It’s not fair, but it’s true. While I don’t think you should take any job that comes along, I think you should at least consider it. If the time commitment is too much, if requestor is a drag, if the project has little hope of moving your career along – then by all means, say no. But if the job has some value – if the work will elevate your profile, build your resume and boost your network – then I wouldn’t turn it down just because they’re not throwing you some pocket money. That’s garbage. Expensive garbage, at that.
I am dealing with this at the moment, volunteering to on the comms team of a music festival for experience ^_^ What makes me feel better about it is that everyone who runs the festival is a volunteer!
Also, I didn’t know that you did aerial – I have been reading your blog for a year now, since following a link from the Bloggess. What was your preferred apparatus? I do aerial silks.
well that sounds… fair. if no one is getting paid then it’s one less thing to worry about. either you want the experience or you don’t – money can’t really play a role if none is available. I hope you enjoy it… I used to work in PR/comms before I moved into a writing role. It’s still all marketing though :)
I did aerial for about 2 years when I lived in New York. It’s one of the few things I miss about the city! When I was traveling, it was too impractical to find gyms and studios all over the world, so I let it go. When I moved to Munich, I wanted to pick back up but the only classes I could find were pole. (My preference is silks also – though I will settle for rope.) There are classes in Helsinki, but they are very expensive… so, right now, I’m on hold. I’m sure I’ll get back to it at some point, but not just now. Enjoy the climb for me! I really do miss it!
I think I’ve only turned down work due to my schedule. However, I did have one person hire me for ghostwriting services for a short story he had outlined. When I was done, he didn’t even look at what I’d done before offering to pay me half of the original agreed upon price. So…I ended up telling him I wouldn’t be providing my services anymore. If he had been honest up front, I probably would have still done it…but I didn’t want to encourage that type of behavior.
Yeah, that’s bullshit. Low-balling is one thing – refusing to pay for services rendered without explanation is quite another. You made the right call to not work with him again. Hope it doesn’t happen in the future!