{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How to Respond When Someone Asks You to Work for Free (Without Feeling Awkward)","description":"In this episode, I\u2019m talking through what to do when someone asks you to work for free, whether it\u2019s an unpaid \u201ctest project\u201d, 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.&amp;nbsp; I also explain when free appearances can be more like PR\/marketing (such as podcasts or local networking talks), and why \u201cexposure\u201d rarely pays, especially without anything agreed in writing, even for unpaid work.&amp;nbsp; Timestamps: 00:00 Why Free Work Requests Happen&amp;nbsp; 01:05 Just Say No&amp;nbsp; 01:39 Polite Declines and Freebies&amp;nbsp; 03:19 Handling Spec Work&amp;nbsp; 04:23 When Free Has Payoff&amp;nbsp; 06:17 Get It in Writing&amp;nbsp; 06:28 Skill Swaps Done Right&amp;nbsp; 08:03 Exposure Myths and Boundaries&amp;nbsp; 08:58 PR vs Free Consulting&amp;nbsp; 09:48 Wrap Up and TLDR Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com&amp;nbsp; Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/discord.gg\/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book:&amp;nbsp;The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business ","author_name":"The Freelancer's Tea Break","author_url":"http:\/\/freelancelifestyle.libsyn.com\/freelancersteabreak","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41451065\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/202526180"}