More Graphic Design Advice They Don't Teach in School: Is This Really a "Friend in Need" or Someone Looking for a Handout?

I had a parent of a graduating design student email me a few days ago, she was actively looking to help him start his career off right (nice thing to do), and stumbled upon what I was doing. She felt her son had a lot of talent but didn't have the necessary business/marketing/sales background to help him become successful - very smart Mom. She really sent in a nice email talking about her son's talent and that she just wanted the best for him.

Whatever I'd said in a blog post, web page or audio clip, it resonated with her, and she wanted her son the opportunity to learn what I've already learned (nice compliment). She recognized that by learning from my past mistakes, her son would have a much better chance to live out his dream - that's a tall order.

She wrote, "I would love to have a copy of your book; its appearance is incredibly timely. I am the mother of an aspiring young designer. James is studying graphic design and does amazing work with digital photography. He has had extremely positive feedback on his work but he tends to float in a strange artsy place so practicalities elude him. He is wanting to start marketing and wants me to spearhead this. I am an accountant so can organize & help her manage the financial side given the proper knowledge of the industry yet I have absolutely no marketing experience or industry knowledge.

I would love to be able to help guide him in a direction that is feasible as otherwise he is apt to float off to a hippy commune in search of the next beat generation. I would love to help him follow his dream & feel reasonably certain she can also afford a safe place to live & a bag of groceries now and then. Help a spirited, young, aspiring artist with some practical information? Pretty please?"

When you strip away all of the window dressing and humor, this woman is basically groveling for free stuff. I thought, "It's not like I've priced any of my resources where someone who was serious couldn't afford them. In fact, I don't have any one resource of $30."

This was a professional, articulate woman who had the funds to send her son to design school, AND was REALLY COMMITTED to his success and yet didn't have $29 to buy him a book that would make his dreams come true - what the heck?!?

If she gave up her coffee at Starbucks for 5 days she'd have more than enough to purchase the book, why ask for a free copy when she can clearly afford it? Greed and selfishness.

Yeah, I admit I am ranting a little here guys, I apologize for that. But there is an important lesson in here that you're going to have to deal with as a freelancer as well - you will run into people that will ask, beg and plead with you to give them free advice, attention or design.

It'll be up to you to decide whether or not you decide to help out. I have given away my time, resources and talent to folks in trouble, as well as non-profits and my local church, but I evaluate people's needs on an individual basis, and a white-collar, articulate Mother who could afford to send her son to design school doesn't need a handout - she's looking for a freebie.

Hey, I am all for giving back to people and I'd encourage you to share your gifts and talents with those people, churches and non-profit organizations that could use them for bettering your community, but just be discerning when random people come to you looking for what appears to be a handout (when they CAN afford you, they just don't want to) - you'll find you'll rarely ever get paid.

PS - As a nice gesture I did offer a few resources at more than 50% to the mother - she never responded...definitely looking for a freebie...jackass.

Comments

[Nick Williams]

I highly doubt that was an actual mother; probably just some made up story.

[Jeremy Tuber]

Hahah, you might be right Nick...she convinced me, but who the heck knows?

You know, for all of the time she spent thinking up and typing the email, it might have been smarter just to buy the ebook, it's under $10.

There are a lot of people out there (especially clients) are always looking to try to get what they can for nothing.

Thanks for the comment :)

[Renee]

Yikes! I'd be embarrassed to have my mom emailing on my behalf to ask for free advice, books, etc.
Has this woman read any of your blog posts?

As as for James floating off in some strange artsy place ignoring practicalities...
When the fridge is empty and the cat needs crunchies, you come down from the strange artsy place pretty fast.

Thanks for reaffirming the need to be on the look out for those who want something for nothing (and the rest of that Dire Straits song..)

It must be the "free" in freelancer that gives people the wrong impression. :)

[Jeremy Tuber]

Lol, yeah I am not sure I'd want family doing this for me either, Renee. Still, I don't know if the kid even know what she was doing...seems like one of those overzealous and overbearing soccer or beauty pageants parents that push their kids WAY too much :)

Ah yes, with the economy out there it doesn't take long to come down from the artsy place.

Great comment Renee, and awesome reference to Dire Straits, "Money for Nothin'" song...priceless!