Jun 11, 2026
In this episode, I’m talking through what to do when someone asks you to work for free, whether it’s an unpaid “test project”, spec work, or a talk with no budget. I share why you can (and should) feel confident declining, plus a few polite scripts you can use.
If you do want to offer something, I cover alternatives like
directing people to your portfolio/testimonials, creating a short
free resource that builds your mailing list, offering a paid taster
or paid spec work, or agreeing a clear skill swap.
I also explain when free appearances can be more like PR/marketing
(such as podcasts or local networking talks), and why “exposure”
rarely pays, especially without anything agreed in writing, even
for unpaid work.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why Free Work Requests Happen
01:05 Just Say No
01:39 Polite Declines and Freebies
03:19 Handling Spec Work
04:23 When Free Has Payoff
06:17 Get It in Writing
06:28 Skill Swaps Done Right
08:03 Exposure Myths and Boundaries
08:58 PR vs Free Consulting
09:48 Wrap Up and TLDR
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