Spec work examples

Spec work is when an inexperienced freelancer is manipulated into doing some work for free or with a vague vision of a reward, reciprocal service, or other work. Here are some examples from The Freelance Way, chapter Business Negotiations:

• Submit your entry to the tender for our company’s logo, and if you win, $1,500 is yours.
• Prepare for us a sample of your work for free, and our next order will be paid.
• We don’t have room in our budget to pay you, but we can think up a way to barter for it.
• This one here will be for peanuts, but if you handle it, we’ll give you a lot more work.
• If your work is good, we’ll pay you. We’ll talk about the price later.
• Come work for us for free, in return for experience and references.
• The director needs a photographer for his fiftieth birthday party. Then once you’re there, you can talk about paid cooperation.
• We would love to order from you, but draft a proposal with a sample solution for us first.

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