If you're good at something, never do it for free.

Bonus Nice Work Christmas edition 🎄

Welcome to the bonus section of Nice Work! You’re getting this email because you’re a paid Nice Work subscriber. First, your support means the world. 💛 This newsletter started as a hobby, but you have made it possible for me to spend even more time on it (and to pay our guest writers!)

So: Thank you. It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to spend time doing what you love. I don’t take it lightly!

To prove it to you, let me introduce today’s bonus edition with a lighter-hearted gif from a dark character: The Joker.

I hope smashing people’s faces into pencils is NOT what you’re good at.

If you’re good at something, never do it for free.

This advice is easier to follow in clear-cut situations like:

1. Not giving freebie work to prospective clients if you’re a freelancer.

2. Not running your some friend’s friend’s social media for their new company “as a favour” on the side of your actual social media job.

3. Paying a fair amount so employers can pay a fair wage for work you enjoy, like: Chefs, hospitality, craftsmanship, artists, etc.

4. Paying a fair amount for work, instead of promising “exposure” or “items for your portfolio.”

Yet, this isn’t where most of us do our work for free. Indeed:

You might be working for free without realising it.

Here’s an exercise to show you what we mean.