Overexposed

“Think of the exposure” is a phrase I often get when discussing a project someone doesn’t want to pay for. Since I mostly work as an illustrator, I’m frequently examining abstract and ethereal concepts with a client about their project. Perhaps that’s why, sometimes, they just assume a design or illustration will fall out of my pen like fairy dust.

You would be surprised at how many times I’ve set down with a prospective client to go over their long list of stylistic requirements and tight time tables for a project only to discover they have zero intent of ever compensating me for my effort. Shocked they are. Shocked!

I don’t mean to sound bitter, but it’s a necessary tone to take if we want to investigate this problem. It boils down to one basic concept: respect. Asking a person to devote their time and skills to an endeavor with no hope of compensation can be a sure sign that firm has no respect for your efforts.

Time is Treasure

This isn’t always the case. Sometimes pro bono work can be very rewarding. Often the possibility of getting your brand out there can be worth a little volunteer work. And sometimes there are causes you believe in that are well worth the sacrifice, but you need to be sure. Always remember that your time is valuable. You’ll never get it back.

You’ve invested all this time, money and sweat into developing the unique skill set you have. Make sure the client understands that too. A practical way to communicate your worth to the client is to simply lay out the effort that will have to be devoted to a project. Often a client has never considered the time you would have to invest. Why would they? They don’t know your field.

Usually this technique is all it takes, but sometimes you have to be honest at the costs you’ve personally incurred. You have tools, programs and skills you’ve had to invest your own hard-earned cash into. Those have value in any project proposal too.

For almost all of us there is yet a more important consideration: our time is not our own. We aren’t machines, we’re people with relationships. Our time is also valuable to the ones we care about and who care about us. Any prospective employer should value that basic human need.

If after all of this the employer still doesn’t seem to understand, then you should really consider letting this project pass by. Some of us are so soft that it’s hard to say “no”, but you need to learn.

Get Hard!

I developed a smart ass response to “Just think of the exposure.” Usually I shoot back, “I try not to expose myself.” It seems to do the job to reset the tone of the conversation. It lets them know you take yourself seriously and so should they. But… in rare cases, some folk are so narcissistic that they really believe others should be raptured up into their vision and be willing to sacrifice of themselves without compensation. Be wary, that’s not a career that’s more like… a cult.

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Good luck and happy job hunting!