Don't give away your most valuable asset
“We don’t do free pitches because we don’t have any free time. Our time is valuable, and I’m not giving away ideas to some prospective client. That’s giving away the most valuable resource you have. ”
Who is your most valuable asset?
You!
I believe that design is an area everyone should invest in since visual perception supports sales and marketing. Of course, I’m biased! But bear with me on this for a moment and let’s talk free pitch work.
I am my most valuable asset too. I cannot afford to work for free, financially but also ethically too. It’s’ dishonourable to my peers, profession, experience and education.
Design created for a pitch isn’t 100% perfect, it’s completed to ‘win’ not to meet the needs of the business, product or service through the tested methods of a a good relationship, a collaborative brief, research and communication. It’s free work provided to a brief that could easily express creator bias.
“Without dialogue, research and development, design becomes a ‘stick a finger in the air and guess the direction of the wind’ exercise. Successful designs are created with thought and exploration. ”
Selecting a designer or any service because they provide free or low cost work maybe cheaper upfront but the work is often superficial and lacks the talent and depth of skills. Many studios ask the intern or junior team member to work on pitches which can be unethical if they are unpaid or on low wages. Free work contributes to unethical wages and the cost of living crisis.
Design always works best when the creative can explain what the problem is and how to solve it without the risk of the client taking the work to a cheaper firm. In free pitches, it’s impossible to gain any insight into values or build a communication. There simply isn’t the time or investment to present fairly. And honesty too. If I have a current client needing work and have to weigh that up against a free pitch for which I may never be paid, the client gets my time because that’s ethical and right.
If invited to quote, this is what I can bring:
A brief so that I understand the objectives
Fifteen minute free call so you can check I’m the right person for your work and vice versa in which I can share initial thoughts on what needs to be done
Explain what I would need in terms of time and strategy to develop creative work
Outline my process and expected results
Staged payments alongside delivery milestones on signature of my contract and payment of a deposit
I always keep in touch about scope creep (work that goes beyond the brief) and extra costs before they are incurred so you have a choice
Credentials including relevant client testimonials and case studies which are also on this website
Reassure you that I’m the right person for the work.
Of course, I would be disappointed if I missed out as others have provided free work. I will continue to collaborate with clients who do not expect this. Should you change your mind, you’ll know where to find me!
If you’ve got a project you would like to discuss just get in touch!