First off, I can’t tell you how it brightens my day to be out all afternoon (my only day outside in a week…every week) and come home to comments from you (and Dan on the other post). Debi seriously, your ‘keep-coming-back-ness’ is truly appreciated…can’t say it enough.

All great points (and warnings) you’re providing here. So true that you’d rather be told the truth and KNOW you’re not going to see a dime than be led on. It’s much worse.

And the grammar thing…couldn’t agree more. If that’s their idea of professionalism, they’re not worth the time. Run! I don’t care how desperate you are to work. They will make you bitter before your time.

Because you will get bitter….it’s just a matter of when…

K

My only addition is to be very aware of what you’re getting into and to be ok with it. Don’t fool yourself or be fooled. There is nothing worse than thinking something will pay only to find out you got ripped off. Better to go in knowing that there won’t be money it for you, but that you’re doing it for experance, networking, the passion of the project, etc. You’ll be much happier in the end if you know what you willing got yourself into in the first place.

As you said Karen, a huge hint that the project might not be all they say is if they go on about how “it will be a big hit” and how “we’ll get famous and get tons of money”. Slowly step back from those people and run away! Run away!

You have to look at it like it’s not all about them either. What they’re asking for, what they need from you.

Are you getting anything out of it? Maybe you’re building a relationship with someone that really could help you out in the future. Or it’s someone you respect. Or you genuinely think the project is worth working on.

But blind ads on craigslist are probably not those people.

The usual sign is folks promising much bigger things (what, as in more free work? wow) to come and that this project is going to be the next amazing thing…bla bla bla.

Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
K

This kind of goes with what I was (trying!) to say on another one of your posts about goodwill, and doing things for contacts that YOU deem worthy enough to give your time and talent to for a reduced rate. Sometimes that rate is non-material…and sometimes so is the pay…

…but some others, well, they gots to have the crispy bills. ‘Specially if ya don’t know ‘em real good.

It is very hard for people just starting out to get what is fair. You don’t feel worthy and will kill yourself just to ‘get the job’, like you said. I’m sure most professionals have stories of being ‘screwed over’ and you really learn from them.

With the internet, the number of ‘baddies’ that you will come across has increased so much. So you have to find ways to sniff them out.

Having a base fee is a great idea because there’s plenty of non-billable things you need to do that beginners may not realize.

It also comes down to the value you get out of the project too. If you feel it really is worth it to do that job for so little…because it would be great experience or an amazing portfolio piece, then that has to be your decision. I just want people to think about it first.
K

My general rule is to set a minimum amount that I will work for, regardless of the project size. So much time is spent in meetings and talking to clients about the project (things typically deemed non-billable) that setting a minimum will cull out the professionals from the “can you do this for me” people.

A great post, and I look forward to the follow-up.