Something for Nothing
by Kelley Delano
Published November 10, 2016
The Underemployed Life website

I have a college diploma in Multimedia Graphic Design, and have been freelancing since 2008 as a photographer.  Even with almost 20 years in the industry, I still get approached by people looking for my skills for free.

On top of that, graphic design and photography jobs don’t exactly grow on trees where I live.  So when people ask what I do for a living, I tell them GD and Photography.  When they ask where I work, it’s usually a much different answer.  Retail, food industry, common, underpaid/minimum wage jobs are usually all that’s between me and the bill collectors.  So to keep my skills sharp (and some degree of honesty in my answers), I freelance on my own time and in between jobs.

I’ll admit, when I first started freelancing, I made mistakes.  I’d donate time, or cut my rates, or offer unlimited revisions.  I told myself it was to make my customers happy, but looking back, I can see it was my own self-doubt holding me back.  I knew how much I should be charging, but I couldn’t convince myself that my work was worth it. 

I was content to whore my skills in order to grow my portfolio.  I thought I was building a name as a good designer, but in reality, I was growing a reputation as a soft touch. 

People were constantly asking for posters, business cards and logos, but when I’d quote a price (sometimes even at cut rates), I could see their minds change tracks, and I’d invariably hear the story of how their brother-in-law (or some other relative) could design it for them in Paint or Word.  Or I’d get the hard-sell about how they were a charity/not-for-profit/struggling business with no budget to pay designers.  And I’d cave.  Again.

I guess I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until the day my husband and I arrived for my S-I-L’s birthday party.  We were greeted at the door by the lady who had organized it, and she asked where my camera bag was.  When I jokingly said that I thought I had been invited as a guest and I had left it at home, she looked crestfallen and said, “Oh…well…I guess you might as well come in anyway.”  She immediately turned to another person standing next to her and asked “What are we going to do now?”  Needless to say, I didn’t stay at the party for long.

And it’s not just freelance customers that play this game.  Employers do it all the time.

A while back, I was employed for several years as a Copy Centre Lead at a national office supply store.   As time went on, it came to light that my skill set could be seen as a boon to in-store marketing, promotional displays, signage and more.  I was even asked to display some of my photography around the department to showcase the high-quality prints we could create.  Honestly, I was flattered.  At first. 

But soon I came to realize that I was still giving my skills away.  After all, there were other employees at other stores with the same job title who couldn’t do what I was doing, yet were still collecting the same paycheck.  The kicker came at my last performance review, where I was labeled ‘effective’ but assured I could rate higher if I gave a bit more effort.   I was honored with a $.25/hr raise.

That was enough.  I decided then and there I was through giving it away.  Gone were the freebies, the cut rates, the extracurricular requests at work.  Yes, you hired me, but not as a graphic designer. You want what I can do?  Pay for it!

It wasn’t long before the scenario came around again.  I had a seasonal job in a local take-out.  Coincidentally, I had designed a take-home menu for them a few years back.  The meal prices had gone up, and the owner asks me to update the menu.  No problem, I tell her.  I charge $20/hour for design work.

There’s an awkward pause.  “You already work for me.  Why should I pay extra?”

Nuh-uh.  Not this time.  “Yes, I work for you.  As a server, here, in your restaurant, for minimum wage.  In order for me to update your menu, I have to take your file home, open it on my computer, update the information, save it to another disc and bring it back to you.  All on my own time, using my own tools and my own electricity.  For that service, I charge $20/hour.”

She wasn’t happy, but she paid.  Funny, I didn’t get asked to do anymore design work though.  And damn, if it didn’t feel good to finally stand up for myself and my skills.  Bit of a rush, really.

Fast forward to one of my most recent job applications, bartending/serving at a pub in a local golf club.  My potential employer is asking the usual questions and going over my resume when he notices the design and photography part.  He gets excited about how that would be useful for menus, signage, promotions, etc.  Then he proceeds to offer me minimum wage.   I tell him I’d be happy to accept the position at that wage, but if he wants a designer/photographer as well, then he’ll have to offer more.  Oddly enough, I didn’t get the job.  No loss.

I have no problem with doing the job asked of me, even for minimum wage.  I’m a hard worker, a reliable employee and have a strong work ethic.  However, I have finally reached a point in my life where I value my own skills.  If your job description does not include my skill set, but you think there would be a use for it, then pay for it. It no longer comes for free.