Saying "No" has to be one of the most difficult things to do because you are particular about how it may affect others. That's okay. It means that you are not insensitive and you are concerned for other people's feelings. However, sometimes you are left with no choice, especially if you are a creative and people know how much skill you have got. You may not decline casual requests from people but when it comes to "business", know when to draw the line. 

If you agree, most of these requests that require you to say No come from your close friends, family members, partners, and other acquaintances. This is what makes it hard, thinking and overthinking that you have hurt their feelings. But, come to think of it, saying yes to all requests, especially free work, hurts your feelings too. 

What does free work look like? 

When people want to request freebies, they use different strategies that don't make it look like they want free work. So, before you fall for it, assess the requests properly. No one will come to say ''Can you do my makeup for free?" Instead, they may say "Are you free tomorrow, I just want a little thing done on my face. It's not going to take your time." They are also aware of how weird it may sound to your hearing, so they don't come out straight. When someone needs your service, after stating how they want you to help them, look through the message again and be sure they are requesting the mode of payment too. 

Why should you say "No" to free work? 

It can be tempting to do the work free of charge because it's not much or promise yourself that "it will be the last time." Anytime, you feel like you might just do a job for free, remember these things: 

• Time is money and you are wasting it if you don't get anything in return for using it. 

• You are not going to be seen as a nice person because you are offering to do a job at no cost. Instead, you may go broke. 

• Charging for your services is professionalism and topmost respect for your abilities, own it! 

• When you say "No" to someone who wants free work, you are likely to reject any opportunity to do low-quality work because there is a big tendency that you may not put your all into it. 

• Setting boundaries is an important skill that every creative should have and no one should be able to cross this line. When you say No, you are establishing boundaries. 

How can I say "No" to free work? 

Now that you know how important it is to say No to free work, it is also very good if you can do that politely. Saying "No" doesn't mean you have to be rude or harsh about it. Instead, you can say it with more kindness and tact such that it still passes the message to the person. 

Here are Samples of how to respond to a person who wants a freebie: 

1. "Thank you for thinking I can handle this project. However, my hands are currently full."

This is a rejection from your end probably because a person is "hellbent on you offering your services for free" but you have made it look polite by appreciating them first (they recognized your skill), then going ahead to inform them that you have a full workload and may not have the time to handle theirs. 

2. "I am really glad that you could consider me for this project. You can check this link for my services and price list. I'd love to know if you have other questions." 

Some people will reach out and not give a specific structure of what they want from you but you already get the gist. They don't have plans to pay. So, thank them for thinking of you in the first place, then send them your price list/package. If there is a link containing your service charges, send it right away so that they can know that you are not doing your work for free. 

3. "Whoa! This sounds like a great opportunity. I already have enough work samples showcased in my portfolio and I can send it if you don't mind. However, I take payments for all types of jobs that I do." 

Some individuals come to give you directions and tell you to send them samples following the directions. They are not sure if they want to pay you, so they tell you something like "You will gain exposure" when they publicize your samples. Remember that "exposure doesn't pay the bills." Alternatively, send them your portfolio amd if they want something other than that, they have to pay for it. 

4. "Thank you for this opportunity and I also look forward to working with you. But, can you confirm if this is a paid opportunity?" 

Another style is for them to come around to say they think you both can work together because you have something in common. They can also say that you can meet more people considering they have a larger network. The offer is tempting but you still need to make it clear that you will take some money for offering your skills. 

5. "I have fixed rates, but I understand that it may be more than your budget. Do you mind if I connect you with someone who is likely to do it for less?" 

The set of people you should give this response to are the ones who think that your job is as simple as "ABC" and you shouldn't be charging too much for it. They may even tell you that it's something they could pull off effortlessly if they had the skill. There is no need to be angry, explain to them that your prices are fixed but you can link them to a person who could work with their budget. 

Conclusion 

You are a creative, a phenomenal one at that! So, it's normal for people to want a free taste of your awesomeness and hard work. Saying No and creating boundaries is not a bad thing to do. In fact, not saying No and agreeing to do a free job is the wrong thing and you shouldn't do it! If they need your services, they should run you your coins! 

If you find this content helpful, sign up on our website to have full access to the career advice page and salary category. Also, you may want to follow us on social media: 

Facebook: Hub for Jobs

Twitter: @hubforjobs

Instagram: @hubforjobs

LinkedIn: HubForJobs