Published on May 21, 2024

Savvy Growth Hack

I often get asked the question, "Abbey, is it okay if I do work for free while I'm still learning how to be a VA?"

It may sound terrible, but I usually want to SCREAM, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I'm pretty passionate about this. While I understand that you may not feel like you are qualified to get paid for your work yet, I am here to remind you that your time is VALUABLE, even if you haven't worked with a client before!

Here are some of the reasons I'm NOT a fan of working for free:

• By offering your services for free, you might undermine the value of your skills and expertise. Clients may not fully appreciate the effort and time you put into your work if they don't see a monetary value attached to it. I have found that clients who are unwilling to pay for your services may not fully understand the value you bring to the table. This could lead to a higher likelihood of difficult clients who may not appreciate your work or demand more than what was initially agreed upon. NOT FUN.
• It's actually going to make your job more difficult if you work for free — plus, it's not giving you a true experience of what it's like to freelance. Clients may not take your work seriously if they haven't invested financially. They might not provide the necessary feedback, communication, or commitment to the project.
• And one of the biggest reasons is the opportunity cost you're missing out on by working for free. Time spent working for free is time you could have spent on paid projects or other income-generating activities. By not charging for your work, you miss out on potential earnings.

Do I recommend working for free? Nope. I don't. While it may take you longer to find a client if you're charging your worth, you'll be proud of the fact that you're making REAL money when you choose to charge!