Free visual(s)? yay or nay.
wei803 (19 points) | Thu, 2008-02-14 09:53This hit me today. A returned client pointed me to a job that would like to handle together. It's a web redesigning, he'll handle programming and I'll build the front end. Fine with that. What's put me off is that he requested me to submit visuals, without confirmation of the job or any sort of payment. So I talked him off and rejected the job. The client disagree as I refuse to submit visuals and said it's unprofessional. His view is he can't convince the website client to pay for the job without knowing what's the outcome.
So, I wonder how many of you do "free" visual, be it pitching or sincere or have strong confident of getting the job. Do share your view.
Agree to be paid for the work that you have to do and charge accordingly. Ask for 50% or 25% or however much you negotiate with him. . . NOTHING you do is free and what he sounds like he's doing is asking for 'spec' work (www.no-spec.com) Always ask for something down before starting work JUST so that you get SOMETHING for your work. If he isn't happy with it, cut your losses and move on. . . that would be MY advice.
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
if they want to see if you're capable of doing the work, seeing your portfolio should be enough.
but you shouldn't do any *actual* work until you have an agreement to pay you for it.
You did the right thing. Like gwells said, your past experience is MORE than enough to show them you can do the job. You might have lost a potential contract, but the trouble and heartbreak you go through when you have to run after a pay isn't worth it. Free visuals to show the work is the thumbnail and brainstorming process, which is part of the creative process of a project, hence you should get compensation for it.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
We artists are indestructible, even in a prison cell or concentration camp I would be almighty in my own world of art. Even if I had to paint my pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty floor of my cell. - Pablo Picasso
That client was bogus and they should read No-Spec. We don't work for free! Would this client tell their auto mechanic to do the work first and then pay him if he likes it? Hell no.
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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work
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The Salon Design Tech
Thanks for the reply everyone, glad that we share the same idea.
This is the reason where portfolios comes in. To prevent such client who would just use their words to steal the ideas on our head. So, don't regret ur self for turning off such clients...instead create another damn good portfolios to proove ur skill...cheers mate.
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