Should Freelance Writers Ever Work for Free?
Whatever stage you’re at in your freelance writing career, chances are you’ll be asked to work for free at some point.
It’s a frustrating dilemma: say “yes,” and you risk undervaluing your skills; say “no,” and you could pass up a chance to build your portfolio, gain testimonials, or make valuable connections. The truth is, the answer isn’t always black and white.
In this post, we’ll break down when you should turn down unpaid work, when it might be worth considering, and smarter alternatives that help you protect your value while building your career.
Should Freelancers Ever Work for Free?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
Whether you choose to work for free depends on several factors, including:
- Your professional goals. Are you aiming to build a portfolio, break into a new niche, or focus on maximizing income? Your current priorities will help determine whether unpaid work makes sense.
- The stage you’re at in your career. Beginners may benefit from taking on small, selectively chosen unpaid projects, while experienced writers may risk undervaluing their services if they do the same.
- Whether you’re producing free work for a client or another context. There’s a big difference between helping a non-profit you care about and doing unpaid work for a well-funded corporation.
- The nature of the work itself. A small, clearly defined task (like a single blog post) is far safer than an open-ended request (e.g., “help us rewrite all of our content”) or a highly technical project (e.g., white papers that require industry expertise) you’re not being paid for.
The key is to approach unpaid work strategically rather than reflexively. Let’s start with when you should almost always say “no.”
When to Say “No” to Working for Free
In most cases, working for free isn’t worth it.
Unpaid work can cut into the time you could spend on paid projects, reduce your income, and even devalue your services in the eyes of future clients. If you’ve worked for free before, you may find it harder to command your full rate later on.
You should refuse unpaid work if:
- Your client is a large company or clearly has the means to pay your full rate
- The project is especially long, complex, or requires specialized expertise
- Free work would limit the time you can spend on paying clients
- The scope of the project isn’t clearly defined, creating a risk of scope creep
For example, if a large agency asks you to create a full blog post as an “unpaid trial,” that’s a red flag. A fairer alternative would be a paid test project. This is where you’re asked to write a small, limited piece (i.e., 200–300 words) for an agreed fee so the client can evaluate your style without getting a whole piece of work for free.
Saying “no” can feel uncomfortable, but it’s a vital part of protecting both your income and your reputation. That said, there are situations where unpaid work can be a stepping stone – if you choose carefully.
When to Consider Working for Free
Sometimes, saying “yes” to a small amount of unpaid work can help you take your next step as a freelancer. The key is to be selective: only choose opportunities that genuinely move you forward – whether that means building your portfolio, growing your network, or breaking into a new niche.
Working for Free As a New Freelancer
When you’re brand new to freelancing, landing those first paying clients can feel like the hardest step. Without experience or samples to show, it’s easy to feel stuck – but there are ways to get moving.
Offering a small amount of carefully chosen free work can help you:
- Hone your writing and business skills. Real-world projects give you practical experience that’s hard to get from practice pieces alone.
- Test different niches or content formats. Writing across a few topics can help you discover what you enjoy most, and what you want to avoid.
- Build polished portfolio samples. Even a handful of strong examples can make it much easier to land your first paying clients.
- Collect testimonials and referrals. Positive feedback from early clients can be invaluable for building credibility and attracting new work.
For instance, you might offer to write two short blog posts for a local coffee shop in exchange for a testimonial. You’ll walk away with portfolio samples and real client feedback, both of which make it easier to land your first paid gig.
So, to decide whether it’s worth your while to give some of your time and effort away for free, ask yourself a few questions:
- Will this add high-quality work to my portfolio?
- Could this client refer me or lead to paid opportunities?
- Will I learn a skill that boosts my earning potential?
If not, it’s better to politely decline and focus on paid work or other ways to build your freelance career.
Working for Free As an Experienced Writer
If you’re more established, working for free should be rare. However, there are still a few circumstances where it might make sense:
- Volunteering for a cause you believe in. Supporting a non-profit or community project can be rewarding.
- Marketing your business. Writing a guest post for a respected platform can help you reach new clients.
- Speculative work for high-value contracts. Some clients request a small, unpaid “test” project before committing to a large paid engagement. If the potential reward is significant, and there’s a clear agreement in writing, it may be worth it.
Say you’re an experienced tech writer who wants to break into the sustainability niche. You might volunteer to write a single guest post for a well-known sustainability blog. You’ll get your name in front of their audience and position yourself as an expert in the field, without committing to ongoing unpaid work.
As with new freelancers, the rule is simple: only say yes if there’s a clear, measurable benefit for you.
Alternatives to Working for Free
If you don’t want to work for free but don’t want to walk away entirely, you can offer options that reduce the client’s risk without undervaluing your work.
Consider:
- Providing free samples. Offer a short (150–200 word) sample that demonstrates your style without completing an entire project for free.
- Offering a one-time discount. A small, first-project discount can build trust without locking you into low rates.
- Creating bundles. Package multiple services together (e.g., “three blog posts for the price of two”) to add value without cutting your per-word rate.
- Negotiating small, defined “starter projects”. If a client is hesitant to commit, suggest a limited paid project instead of free work. For example, one blog post before agreeing to a larger package.
For example, if a client says, “We’d like you to write an unpaid trial,” you could send a reply that politely refuses while still offering them a good deal:
I don’t offer unpaid work, but I’d be happy to provide a short sample or a discounted starter project so you can see my work in action.”
These alternatives let you prove your skills while setting clear boundaries around your worth. For more strategies, see our guide to offering discounts.
Becoming A Freelance Writer
One of the best ways to avoid unpaid work is to build a strong foundation from day one.
Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course teaches you how to write professional blog posts and articles, build a portfolio, and attract paying clients. Pass the course with a distinction score, and you’ll have the opportunity to write three posts for our blog – giving you three professionally edited samples to showcase in your portfolio.
Want to try before you buy? Try two lessons for free!
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