Should artists work for free?

From Creative Passion To Profit

My business life has always revolved around one essential principle: helping creative professionals and entrepreneurs get control of their finances and build sustainable businesses.

Having started from modest roots, and after years of managing my own business, I know how crucial it is to value both your passion and your time. That’s why, in this episode of "From Creative Passion to Profit", I’m posing a rhetorical question that’s triggered debates at studios, exhibitions, and online forums:

Should artists work for free?

In fact, it’s not just a question for artists.

Every creative, freelancer, or business owner faces it at some point.

In this episode, I dig into the heart of that dilemma, offering practical advice and hard-earned insights. If you’ve ever wondered when saying “yes” to unpaid work is smart, or if it’s just a slippery slope, then this episode is crafted for you.

Let’s face it: working for free stirs up lots of feelings.

Early in my own entrepreneurial journey, I found myself doing work for nothing more than “exposure,” sometimes to build a portfolio, and occasionally just for the sheer joy of being involved in a meaningful project.

Sometimes it worked out—doors opened, relationships formed, opportunities arose.

But I quickly learned there are reliable dangers: creative burnout, undervaluing your own craft, and the harsh reality that exposure does not pay the gas bill.

In the episode, I break down the supposed benefits of free work—like getting your name out there or adding to your portfolio—and examine them with a practical, business-focused lens.

I challenge listeners to ask the right questions.

After listening, you’ll be more skilled in negotiating your worth, more alert to recognising when free really means opportunity, and—importantly—when it just means exploitation.

You’ll be stronger in your decision-making, clearer in communicating your value, and better prepared to ensure your creative passion not only survives but thrives. Because in every decision, the motto remains: Helping you to Plan It, Do It, PROFIT.

Timestamped Summary

• [00:00:02] I explore why the question of working for free isn’t simple and why it matters for your reputation and bottom line.
• [00:00:51] The “exposure” myth—when might free work pay off, and when is it just smoke and mirrors?
• [00:02:21] Passion projects and building your portfolio—when working for free actually makes sense, but only under your own terms.
• [00:03:16] The dangers: unpaid work doesn’t pay the bills, leads to burnout, and risks devaluing your craft for you and everyone else.
• [00:05:01] Finding the balance—how to assess opportunities with a clear business mindset, not just emotional impulse. Key questions to ask yourself before saying “yes.”
• [00:06:12] Can they afford to pay you? Why pushing back might get you paid—and how to spot when someone is taking you for granted.
• [00:07:40] The importance of setting precedents, invoicing for free work, and long-term reputation management.
• [00:08:24] How to say “no” professionally and confidently, safeguarding your relationships and your own self-respect.
• [00:09:25] My final take: use “free” as a strategy, not a habit. Your creativity and your time deserve fair value.

If you want to understand exactly when to say yes to unpaid opportunities, how to confidently say no without regrets, and above all how to treat your creative endeavours as a real, profitable business, this episode will give you a practical, actionable blueprint. Helping you to Plan It, Do It, PROFIT.

Mentioned in this episode:

Training

Training

Training

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