What to Say when You’re Asked to Work for Free (downloadable pdf) by Rhonda Abrams for The Star. Practical tips for how to respond to unpaid and low-paid work offers. 

Preview:

I can’t pay you, but you’ll get great exposure

• What exactly is the nature of the exposure? How will my name and description be used? Will you have a link to my website?
• How many people will be there?
• I’ll need a testimonial from your company for my website and brochures.
• Thank you, but I obviously have enough exposure since you contacted me.

I don’t have a budget for this project

• When does your next fiscal year start? Let’s talk about a project then.
• Who in your company might have a budget now?

We’re a start­up and don’t have any money

• I’m swamped right now. Good luck and call me again in a month or two.
• I would be happy to help out. But I can give you only 10 (or whatever) hours for free.
• I’ll take stock. (Hey, if you believe in the company, take that chance. Graffiti artist David Choe got stock for painting a start-up company’s offices. That start-up was Facebook, and Choe’s stock turned out to be worth $200 million.)

I’ll trade you

• Sure. Let’s get the deal in writing, so we know exactly what we’re swapping.
• Sorry, I don’t really need (whatever they have to offer.)

We’re friends

• Happy to help. Let’s write down what you’re asking me to do, what you’re paying for and what you’re not, so we keep our friendship.
• Sorry, I don’t have the time. I need to (choose one) finish the paying projects I’m on, look for paying work.

There are lots of other people who will do it for free.

• You should absolutely contact one of them.