The True Cost Of Free Work

[@Lindzo89]

I think the root of this issue is coming from the universities. The majority encourage working for free to build a portfolio. I have also often wondered why so many creatives are willing to work for free and I think it's a low self esteem issue. We have been taught our whole lives that creativity is worthless and our talents can not compare to the skills of the mathematical and scientific. Once again the root is the education system.

[@naomicraigs929]

I'm in Australia and my university will keep us updated on competitions. They encourage us to apply, but only as students. I think it got brought up once and they said it was a great idea whilst you're a student, learning, exploring, and creating. That's how I took it at least. I've promised myself I'll only do "free" work for the first year. But for me that includes entering competitions, sending my work to publications for (hopefully) some exposure and industry connections, etc. I used to be a photographer and now I'm an illustrator so I knew straight away to put a time frame on free work.

[@FreelancerClub]

Hi. Universities certainly have a large role to play, as do private courses, to educate their students on the pitfalls of unpaid work. Equally, if we can prevent the businesses who are asking freelancers to work for free from posting exploitative roles, we'd make giant steps towards solving the problem. The more we talk about it, the more we can educate both sides. #NoFreeWork

[@hillareyluther9426]

This is so accurately written, thank you!

[@melissalugo7553]

Wow. Very powerful words. Very true for me.

[@Nonorama]

"What? I have to pay you 30$ for something you did in half an hour?" "Yeah, but it took me years to learn how to do it in half an hour." Or just compare: If you go to the dentist, you pay for your appointment. Doesn't matter if the appointment takes up the intial 30min or it is done in only 5 min, it is still the same appointment. Plus that doctor went to school for your check up....

[@hollyexley]

Exactly!

[@martintabony611]

Remember if it was that easy they would do it themselves. You're not just payed for what you do, you're also paid because you know, how to do what you do!

[@laurietrayers]

“Do the work you want to be hired for.” That sums it up so well. Thanks for setting up this interview; it was so useful. Please have more interviews, you are good at this.

[@strawberryjamc]

I think that companies etc. also forget that all of our equipment and materials are quite expensive. Computers, cameras, software, art materials, education/courses/learning materials, printing, web hosting and what ever else we use, cost us a lot of money out of pocket. 😧 As freelancers we don’t have a company budget that can budget for these things. So if we work for free, we not only have to take on the cost of our time, but also the cost of the materials, equipment and resources.

[@hollyexley]

A very good point!

[@ginnytalbot9125]

Oh my gosh this is amazing I have been dealing with this constantly. People want my work they say it’s beautiful but when they realize it’s not just free they scoff as if I’m off my rocker for thinking I deserve payment. It’s very upsetting and I refuse to give my work for free.

[@forindet]

As much as I've been hurt by unpaid work both professionally and personally, I don't believe it's the companies' responsibility to make sure we are paid fairly, they don't care and they never will until they keep getting away with it. It's OUR responsibility to make it impossible for them to get free work, we all need to learn what we are worth and ask for it with confidence. When we stop saying yes to free work and they have nowhere to go they'll just have to start paying, like with any other service. You should only ever work for free for yourself... and your mom :D Great video btw. very much needed conversation!

[@heartofaqua1497]

Thank you to both of you for your effort! This is all really ridiculous: If you are thirsty and you want to drink a Coke, you have to pay for it - if you want some art and can‘t produce it yourself, you have to pay for it. I don‘t understand why people don‘t get this logic - especially rich companies. If an artist has free time, her or she should put it into selfmarketing (a blog, social media, etc.) rather than in free work. Hope the appreciation for good art will increase…

[@FranMeneses]

thank you thank you thank you thank you Holly!

[@kr8047]

It's really good you brought up the social issue. Creative work and creators will become less diverse when only the ones privileged enough accept work for free. For anyone coming from less fortunate circumstances, it is really hard to build up a career when all the opportunities are unpaid. So even if you are in the position to accept unpaid work and see no harm, don't do it! Someones livelihood and representation depend on it.

[@katboyce]

I’m so happy you did this interview! I have so many artist friends that are doing free work or $5 commissions. It’s crazy! Illustration is a hard earned craft just as any other career.

[@aliciasinfinity]

Great work, Holly! Congrats on your first interview video - I'd love to see more of these sprinkled in!

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you Holly! I follow a lot of artists and your videos are really the best. They're concise and contain vital information. I've already noticed a huge amount of 'contests' stating that all work will become company property to be used or modified at their discretion. So in other words, artists, that they could actually pay, are being duped into providing free work to win first prize in a contest. Some of them have had a monetary award along with it, but most of them are just leveraging the 'prestige' of winning a contest.

[@2ndBirth]

I don't know if you find the same thing in Illustration but in my industry (CAD Design) many companies now outsource the bulk of their work to Indian design houses and only have a small in-house core team. Globalisation is making this inevitable. I know you mentioned stock illustration. Something similar in my industry is the freelancer websites where people also work for next to nothing in a race to the bottom. I think it is a general countrywide problem across many industries, not just creative industries although many creative companies expect free work. It's hard to compete when someone can hire a qualified Architect for next to nothing in a foreign country. It's made much of my work disappear and the jobs I do get they don't expect to pay enough to survive in the UK. I now have to work a staff job and freeelance on the side. I'm also trying to improve my skillset so I can market myself with better skills.

[@pamelakurtz86]

SUCH a great interview, Holly, and sooo very true. Being a creative professional often reveals other business people who seem to think, "Why should I pay you for something that's just about having fun all day long? Ever consider a real job?" Run (don't walk) away from those potential clients.

[@odalilleaasen]

This is so so important! Thank you for highlighting this huge problem in our industry! The part about we freelancers needing to educate our clients is really a key part of the solution. I recently took on some very low-paid work for an old school friend of mine, and I have realised now that even my friends should pay me a fair amount for my work. If their project doesn't have a funding budget, they can pay from their own wallet. I have taken on my last ever un/low-paid job. Again, thank you Holly for making these videos!

[@EikippieJ]

This interview is absolutely brilliant! Lots of important and useful information, and indeed: donot work for free! I've recently started freelancing and I have to keep reminding myself that I should get paid properly for every job I do. You have to stand your ground but believe me it's worth it. It's so nuch harder to have to up your prices gradually rather than just making sure you're getting paid properly right away.

[@FreelancerClub]

Well said. Valuing yourself as a person is the first step to valuing yourself as a freelancer.

[@jadawong4120]

As a young creative this is very helpful. Thank you Holly! I would love more interviews and discussions.

[@tortagialla]

Loved this interview - thanks for sharing! I really related to what Matt said about his feelings and uncomfortableness of talking about money. It's hard to separate or perhaps, it's hard to combine it with the passion of what we create. I've also suffered from unpaid invoices, it's frustrating to feel like the little guy that has no power or tools to fight back in the end :(

[@BiancaHaeckDesigns]

He lost 11K! I would crap myself, that's about 5 months worth of salary! Insane! That would be my biggest fear! This video was great Holly, very informative, and also well done you for going out of your comfort zone!

[@nocciolathedrawer]

Brillant content! After just being asked to illustrate a whole magazine for free for the chance of "exposure" and challenging them to stop asking creatives to do work for free, it was good to hear. I used to work in fashion too, its so ingrained in you when you are studying that you have to work for free to get a chance! We bring so much value and I am happy to hear there are people fighting the good fight :)

[@soliloquor4059]

Exceptional interview Holly! Thank you for taking the time and effort for making this

[@LillySchwartz]

This was a very interesting interview Holly. I had no idea stock was becoming a thing in illustration too. I know from working in photography that stock and micro stock have made it more and more difficult to earn any money with that kind of photography and now companies are using free stock photo sites. I think there should be a campaign targeted at illustrators to reject stock work, since the only thing it will do is to cost them more and more work in the future. With photography the problem were a lot of untrained people who did this thing as a side hustle with their entry level DSLR, so a campaign like that wouldn’t have worked. However, it needs a lot more training and practice to do illustration work, so there isn’t such a huge influx from outside the industry, since getting good at drawing and painting takes years of practice. There might still be a way to stop it for illustration!

[@leonatsiara]

Great interview and very helpful Holly! Well done! A few days ago I recieved contract offer from a publisher for colouring book and I did not accept it because they were asking me to pay upfront fees for expenses. I am glad that I watched your videos! A good publisher is not going to ask you for fees. Illustration is a profession like any others. No one works for free! I am kind of beginner, but I have learned a lot from you! Thank you sooo much for your sharing with us Holly!!! ❤🌸🌸🌸

[@shehlamahmood4821]

SO helpful...thank you! Could you do more interviews or even start a podcast? I'd be very interested

[@garethgough4112]

Doing the work that you enjoy or feel strongly about is the way to go for sure. I love that you both pushed the idea of creating briefs for your self and doing that work instead. Feeding this free work epidemic is so damaging for all freelancers. I hope that more freelancers get on board with this ethos and do for them! Thank you Holly for pushing this campaign. A great video as always!

[@ambergr46]

This was a great video/interview. I think it's so important that there is more transparency in the illustration field. It is a very hard field to work in. Keep up the great work. I hope to see more of this type of video!

[@DartilyArtStudio]

Fantastic Video! Thank you Holly and Matt!

[@kristylg]

This video came at a great time, as I am beginning into freelance illustration (switching over from graphic design). I’ve been planning to create illustrations to sell as stock as a means of passive income, but I started wondering if that would actually hurt my reputation as an artist. Now I see that it may not only hurt me, but also diminish the prospect of well-paid work for other artists as well. Now I have a lot to reconsider. Thank you for this video Holly!

[@khathrynyoutubechannel4235]

When I see your new videos in my notifications I stay so happy and exciting to see your contents, advices, vlogs and so much beautiful work! You make my day Holly, I'm so glad that I found you and your social medias accounts, I'm really happy to see more of your information videos, you are an amazing person! The interview is really helpful and with so much important information! I love you and I wish you all the best!!

[@jackgunns8621]

Incredibly useful and valuable information!

[@s12mis]

I just wanted to thank you for your videos! I’m 1st year student of Illustration and your channel is really helpful at aspects that uni wouldn’t touch on!

[@ingalien8102]

This is SO GOOD. So many true, itelligent aspects. I'm sharing this on fb for my art school co-students. And others, to see. Thank you Holly!!! xx

[@MyVlu]

This was so great! Thank you for this interview! I find very little to no support among us creatives. When asking for advice if I should take on the free work, fellow creatives usually encourage me to do so saying that's the way to success. Your videos are so helpful to actually think clear, without feeling my work should not cost anything.

[@andrada-mariapricop8986]

Wow, I discovered your channel three days ago and it's definitely one of the most helpful channel for me, as a beginner. I'm currently trying to build a portfolio and your tips are amazing. I've been drawing for a long time and the attitude of people around me has been very discouraging. I began with realistic portraits and people were asking me if I could do something for them but when I told them the price, they would give up. And I don't know why, my prices were quite low, because I thought that I'm new at this and such, as compared to other artists I knew, and they were preferring to spend the same amount of money they would have been paying me for a portrait for other types of objects to give as gifts. Like, my time and effort is clearly way less valuable than a mass produced object. I've recently done a digital piece for a colleague's photography website, but unfortunately I hadn't know about your channel and I clearly should have considered more terms, he he. I got paid, she was very respectful of that, but there were other issues with the order, but, thanks to your advice, I will definitely not make the same mistakes in the future. This interview was great. You touched very important aspects in it and I hope more and more artists will begin to value themselves more. Congrats and keep up the good work! :)

[@ThePattiw]

Very important information here.Thank you for posting this.

[@jonnanorth]

Thank you for this video Holly! So so important to talk about this!

[@zoeaitken4603]

This video was so helpful, I'd love to see more of them! Thank you for making this styled content! :)

[@anetteharnebrandt8320]

Thank you both for this! Everyone please share this, as it is a problem that begins on an individual level and the more that gets informed about the extent of the issue the better.

[@JuliaK-ve2rw]

I am so thankful for this video, this is incredibly crucial to know. I am not yet at the point in my life where I have to deal with this problem, but as you said a lot of the work happens mentally in preparation. Exercising to value my work and saying no! Thank you so much for dedicating your time to share this with us, Holly!

[@naomicraigs929]

As someone who is doing their first and last unpaid gig (I chose to put my hand up for it as a portfolio piece as I'm an emerging illustrator, and they're giving me a lot of creative control and not micromanaging me at all) watching this has given me a great reminder to let this be my last unpaid gig!

[@FreelancerClub]

Well done Naomi. It's not easy to say no as the general feeling is 'if I don't accept it, someone else will'. There are more benefits to saying no than being exploited. Keep on learning whilst knowing how valuable you are.

[@sarahbyfield3713]

Holly this was brilliant thank you so so so so much! Feeling like a stronger freelancer already! 💪💪💪

[@odalilleaasen]

Holly, I would LOVE you to make more videos where you're talking with other industry professionals! :)

[@itscarolinemary]

Only 5 minutes in. I'd love to see more interviews in the future! The sound quality was pretty good too. :) Good job!

[@Hmina]

Happy to watch a new video from you Dear Holly

[@andobreslin8735]

This was an excellent interview. Best in depth discussion of the issues I've seen.

[@kazadi_kozlov]

Wow! This is so wonderful. I hope you make one again. You are a good interviewer. I've been putting down notes and everything is just spot on!

[@deepeshbkenwar2353]

I’m not an artist and this is an eye opener. It so wrong for people as individuals and as a profession to get caught in a vicious cycle like this and not realise what is going wrong. This kind of awareness raising work needs to get around more. BTW whenever I watch a KZbin video I have a quick look at the like:dislike ratio and this video has one of the highest.

[@mikaelas]

You did great!!!!! You are soooo god at listening and keeping the thread! More of this!!! ...a new oprah is approaching the illustration world 👍😊✨! I would love any interview with creative persons that you do.

[@hollyexley]

Haha thank you 💙

[@chloefox1057]

Brilliant interview Holly! Well done for bringing attention to this issue, it’s so important

[@teohyc]

Very helpful video!

[@osmoregulatoryorgan]

This was bloody wonderful to listen to. Thanks, Holly :)

[@ArtbyGalen]

Excellent video! Very logically approached, and so many more artists need to see this.

[@rachelbrown9370]

This is such an important video. Well done Holly & Matt, I hope it gets thousands of views.

[@paulinefollett3099]

a brilliant interview. I really enjoyed it and got a lot of information out of it.

[@arleneoleary7786]

I'm glad there's something being done. Thanks, Holly!

[@bethfriends]

Holly, you’re a great interviewer! Thank you for the thought provoking video, and having someone who knows the industry well to speak on it!

[@lynnede4383]

Great interview. Agree with all. Joined the Freelancer Club!

[@bentooh2371]

This is absolutely helpful and wonderful content, Holly-san! And so timely as I will be starting to do freelance work and commissions this year. ❤️🎉 I'm so grateful I saw this video before I wrote my freelance contract. Thank you so much for stepping out of your comfort zone to provide this content for us. Your love, care and respect for the creative freelance industry is just so admirable and I really am so thankful for you. 😊 お疲れ様です! You make me want to do my best. 💪

[@hollyexley]

💙

[@Madelelion]

Quality interview Holly! You should be really proud of this, he's a great interviewee too. Clearly, you both care and have experienced the negative side of the industry. *lil applause*. I was given a paid internship and was told immediately after being hired I would essentially manage two elements of an international festival...But of course, I was still being paid £7.50 and working insane hours and expected to do everything and more. A piece of paper was left on my desk by accident that I found to show what I should have been paid which was considerably more. but they penny pinched my position as of course, I was just an intern.

[@kathymsiney3364]

That was such a good interview and so helpful, Thankyou Holly! I've been approached so many times to do free artwork, with 'exposure' being offered. Also, offers of payment in products; when I've designed packaging or a logo, I'm offered 'free' samples as their sole payment, which doesn't pay the bills!

[@katewetherille4977]

Such a wonderful video, thank you for sharing!! Would love to see more interviews!

[@jdekoy]

Great video Holly! Thanks for doing this.

[@alexandragregory7259]

This is an amazing interview, so very informative and relevant; many good examples and thought provoking points. I’m just starting my BA in Illustration - it’s an exciting time! However, looking into the future it is scary knowing so many companies are under valuing creatives talent, imagination and skill set as something not even worth paying for; I mean those student loans need to be paid off some how! I’m so glad that people like yourself are speaking up and are ensuring that companies take professional illustrators seriously. Thank you Holly! :)

[@NatasaIlincic]

So many good points in this video, Holly! Thanks to the both of you for sharing your experience - I hope this will help illustrators who are just statring out!

[@clarebuswell]

That was great! Very informative. Can't wait to see you do more interviews!

[@olehopfner2369]

an absolut essenzel interwie. u guys need to stick together and make more a indrustie out of freelance work. it is absolut outrageous from the industrie to take NO care . thanx holly for the fantastic interwie, go for more. couldnt belive what i heard.

[@andrealala1370]

great interview, I really appreciate you made it! thank you so much.

[@Uinverso]

This so important, thanks for bringing this up!

[@DistantHours101]

This is so incredibly interesting and greatly needed! Great video Holly

[@hollyexley]

Glad you liked it Kerry Ann!

[@gabrielleblagbrough3053]

This video was so helpful! It's concreted the idea that I should never work for free. Thanks for this Holly! I had never thought about the effects of stock illustrations either, but unfortunately, if you're selling a large number of copies you can offer them for fairly cheap.

[@phoebe_ouma]

This is a really great video, I'm learning so much and it's very candid. I'm heading towards the direction of going proffesional with my illustrations. And I really need to learn a lot with regard to the business part of it.

[@sherrysartv]

Great interview Holly! I think it's awesome that you and Matt talked about this matter, it's such an important topic that needs to be heard by other artists and companies as well. I love the idea of hiring yourself to create your portfolio rather than work for nothing for a company/client just to get a portfolio done. Plus, as you mentioned, the artist can do the work they want as they create their portfolio, and be more likely to get hired and PAID for doing work they want. Sounds like a great idea to me! Thanks for sharing, Holly and Matt 👍❤🎨

[@katelyn.mp3]

Thanks so much for doing this interview, Holly! Was really helpful

[@amydipper9384]

Amazing content! This is so motivating and helpful as a recently graduated illustrator

[@neatclare6941]

What an excellent Interview Holly, thank you both for an informative professional and empowering interview, and what a wonderful organisation you have created Matt.There were so many points that have opned up the grassroot problems and the solutions to go with it. The organisation in New York sounds promising also,Again, Thank you both for such an important discussion of the industries culture, I hope that there is a catch up interview in the future on how things are or have been changing, It would be great if this video was used in the mainstream education of creatives also.Oh and well paid for it of course.

[@hollyexley]

Neat Clare that’s a great idea- would love to do a follow up video in a few years time!

[@charlotte.4929]

That was amazing, thank you holly for this great interview!!!

[@mandaloouise]

Very interesting video, I've shared it on my fb and will be sharing it on my Instagram too

[@alanacmills]

Yes. Thank you. And I love the interview format. Do more!

[@melissalugo7553]

Excellent interview my love!

[@EstefaniaSantosIllustration]

Great interview Holly!! This was so good, thank you for sharing :)

[@ClandestineSnowman]

If there was a way to deprive people temporarily of ALL creative work (TV, music, food, literature, etc...) I think they'd realize how vaulable it ACTUALLY is...

[@cecile3414]

You did a great job! And this is a very important topic. Thanks!

[@1ccromer]

Great interview - shared on Facebook and LinkedIn Well done Holly Cx

[@hollyexley]

Thanks so much Charlotte!

[@debsllewelyn230]

Ooh yes please do make more videos like this Holly, so helpful

[@ericduchesnes7340]

Thank you Holly, thank you Matt ! 👍 💖 🕊

[@caoscreativo-art]

That was a really good interview, lots of useful information. Thank you for this.

[@emmathrussell]

This is really important, thank you both for doing this

[@erintaniguchi9028]

Great interview! Would love to see more content like this.

[@kyliesketches2271]

This should have a million views.

[@danielartist123]

Great segment!

[@AlexandraRose530]

I loved this. Thank you for sharing!

[@jengoodwyn2715]

I didn't think I'd watch this all the way through as I'm not a professional artist, but this was very interesting.

[@hendrikdahl5637]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@katjweiss]

Wow these are some really harsh realities :( it’s so hard because I feel like we’re in this midst to the race to the bottom, so accepting any kind of job becomes tempting. I don’t know if it’s because the internet has made every thing so much more competitive and people are relying less on getting their name out through word of mouth (a strategy I could definitely be implementing more). It’s so frustrating because any time I’ve quoted an industry standard price, prospective clients have run away without a word. I’m doing charity work at the moment, for an organisation that I hope will do good for the world. Fingers crossed. But after watching this video I will definitely be a lot more careful.

[@hollyexley]

That's how I feel sometimes too- this 'race to the bottom' but I do think we have a chance to change that. You're already taking an important step, by quoting properly (although I also know that feeling of not hearing back). From experience I can say that clients who want to scrimp on budget for creatives are usually the most difficult to work with too - better to give your time to clients that pay fairly and respect freelancers. My hope is that if we keep on raising these issues in the industry and make sure new creatives are educated on how damaging certain decisions can be for the future of their careers - hopefully things will improve.

[@katjweiss]

holly exley thank you for your encouraging words :) I hope things can change for the better too

[@cece6337]

Hello Holly! This is a little off topic but I’ve been watching your videos for some time and you have definitely inspired me. Today I had my first commission and someone bought 3 of my paintings. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much you helped! ❤️

[@SophieMelissa]

Super helpful! Thank you Holly :)

[@SuperJune19]

Loved this! Really enjoyed the conversation

[@SuperJune19]

Also I really agree about the competition thing. We get encouraged to enter these allll the time at college (I’m doing graphic design) and I never enter them because I just don’t agree. My time and effort is still of value even though I’m still studying. I’d rather bulk up my portfolio with self initiated work

[@LauraGomez-bl2so]

Holy crap, £11k. Excellent interview! Loads of really useful, interesting stuff in there. * tries not to comment on how good looking he is * Think I got away with it.

[@hollyexley]

Haha! A very important point ;) Glad you enjoyed the interview and I know, such a nightmare situation to be in. Very admirable that something positive and successful came from it.

[@mikaelas]

Laura Gomez lol I was thinking the same! And he seems really nice to 😊

[@kreavix]

Thanks for the video :-) More interviews would be great :-D

[@fijaystudio]

There is another issue in Aust. too, if you happen to be in receipt of a government pension, unemployment, disability, aged, whatever, if you "barter" Any goods or service, (like art for exposure) the financial value of the exchange has to be figured and is included in estimating INCOME, for the purposes of applying taxation. You can literally have gotten zero pay and yet be taxed according to the commercial value of a thing. Yes. It is hard to police, it the tax and welfare law is there.