Why would you work for (almost) free?

These days I get asked to do workshops online (awesome). However, most of them have a low or no pay (less awesome). Maybe you too?!

I collected some reasons to work for free.

It is a low-stake opportunity to experiment a new workshop topic, a new target group, a new medium, etc.
- Personal example: I recently gave a free, bonus class to my students in my home town so that I could try out experimental improv games that I adapted to Zoom. Some failed gloriously, and I did not feel guilty for ‘wasting their time’.
It gets you in front of a new, interesting audience. Creates visibility. Having your name out there.
- Personal example: At a conference for freelancers I was asked to give an applied improv workshop in exchange for free entrance. The organizer, offered a list of interesting people and workshops for me to attend. And it expanded my network amongst authors, coaches and other interesting freelancers that I still reap the fruits of.
This company / opportunity looks really good on your resume.
- Personal example: A longform workshop in Portugal didn’t sell enough and could offer me only travel and accommodation. But back then I wanted to be known as a travelling improviser so I said yes anyway. I then showed this trip on social media every step of the way. As a bonus: out of 6 participants, 2 asked me back for their respective groups.
It is part of my professional development
- Personal example: My friend introduced me as a body language expert at a hospital before I had ever done that in non-theatre context. Though the pay was below my rate I learned so much from teaching what I knew to doctors, and them telling ME how it applied to their daily work. Afterwards I wrote this (in Dutch, but maybe your browser can translate): http://www.lauradoorneweerd.com/blog/lichaamstaal-non-verbale-communicatie-training-artsen-zorg-houding
It promotes something else
- Personal example: Recently I was asked to teach for a low fee at Impro Fest Online. I realised it was the perfect opportunity to try out something that was in my mind (do ‘something’ for aspiring improv teachers) but that wasn’t concrete yet. The workshop lead to a workbook. And the workbook is now the 'lead magnet' of my brand new newsletter. What a kickstart! https://lauradoorneweerd.ck.page/workbookimprovteacher
It makes the world a better place
- Personal example: When charity organisation War Child Holland asked me to be part of one of their events, I was happy to do this unpaid. I believe in what War Child does, I appreciate how they treated me as a professional and I enjoy the type of work (teaching theatre to children) they asked me for.
  NB: I went back in my emails to find the details, and apparently I also asked them for naming me and my work in one of their event publications. Never let a branding opportunity slide :-D

However…

Here is what I think are bad reasons to work for free.

(I don’t like trash talking so I am leaving out the personal examples. Just trust me on: I have been there)

“I have nothing better to do”.

Yes, you do. You can actually work (See the post of March 23rd about what to do when you are not teaching) or actually relax. Your time is valuable.

“It is for a friend”

This is a slippery slope. Will you honestly be okay if you get nothing back? (Like: when they don’t even say 'thank you') Don’t do that to your friendship.
It can be part of your reason, just don't let it be the only reason.

“It might lead to other things”

But does it? Be very honest with yourself how it could lead to an other valuable thing, and see if you can agree upon that upfront.

If there is inequality of pay

Maybe you assume everyone works for free at this charity event. But it doesn’t hurt to ask. If the caterer is sending an invoice, then maybe you as the MC should too.

Okay back to you….