Giving Your Product for Free

[PeteQ]

We've had some links from John Harrington's site before and this is another worth looking at. If you are at all in the photography business (or any other really) or wonder why some professionals get upset when you give away your product this may offer some insight.

Now, while the subject of this post and video is a writer, it applies and if you watch it it will see how immediately. The video itself has some colorful language not suitable for kids and work. In a nutshell, the subject does some cussing...

http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.c...-yourself.html

[laawaaris]

i saw the episode and it is pretty telling ... i have to admit that i started off for free thinking it would give me good exposure and build my portfolio ... but now i would never do anything for free ...

i just need to work on charging a very competent rate for my work ... which i am starting to do with some deals

[DeLeon]

I actually ran into this same problem recently with a local "non profit". They are a childrens home and I have been doing the Sr. photos for them for a few years at a huge discount. Another photographer came along and told the director that he would do them for free and give a CD. He called me and told me that he would still let me do it if I could give him the same deal. I am a member of the organization that helps fund this home, and I know for a fact that he makes over $100,000 a year.... and he wants me to work for free. I'll be waiting for his call when he gets a CD of "pix" instead of portraits.

[boxofrocks]

Nice find, Pete. Maybe some folks will take it to heart.

[ShaneKislack]

Of course the counter offer is always, "how about I do this one at full rate and the next one on a discount." See how many will go for that.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Of course the counter offer is always, "how about I do this one at full rate and the next one on a discount." See how many will go for that.

I like that. I'm actually going to try it next time.