Spec work is one of the banes of the freelancing profession. Many are the clients who think that asking several potential freelancers to contribute free or super cheap work is okay, even when the sole benefit to them is maybe, just maybe, landing a longer term job. Why do they do it? Have these clients been burned in the past with a freelancer who promised much but delivered little? Are they simply piecing together a whole project by getting free work out of as many people as possible? Or are there just enough freelancers out there who agree to it that it has never occurred to clients that this is a practice that shouldn’t occur?

Don’t get me wrong. There are times when the job market seems so saturated that I can understand why freelancers – in all fields – find themselves considering an affirmative response when clients request spec work before they make a decision. However, freelancers must fight that urge. What it all boils down to is you, the freelancer, paying for the privilege of being considered for a job. Clients might as well start tacking on an application fee for each job they post – it’s basically the same thing.

Working for free is not okay. Say it with me. Working for free is not okay.

The good news is, saying no to spec work doesn’t mean the end of the road. I was the joyful recipient of this knowledge very recently. I placed a bid for an editing job, and the client got back to me asking if I would mind editing a document on spec to see if we would be a good fit.

Yes actually, I do mind, but I didn’t want to shut the door on this client just yet. With the help of the No Spec website, I drafted a little letter, politely explaining why I don’t do spec work, how it affects freelancers, and that I would be happy to provide a sample at my normal cost.

Well, I’ll be – I got a terrific response. The client was thrilled with my honest viewpoint and gave me her direct contact information. Although I can’t promise I will actually get the job in the end, I’m happy knowing that no bridges were burned and I did my good deed for freelancers everywhere.

Just say no to spec!