How to Respond When Someone Asks You to Work for Free (Without Feeling Awkward)

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