“FOR CREATIVES, AND THE PEOPLE WHO USE THEM” (inspired by a young friend’s new business venture.
Yes.
There’s a fee.
Do YOU work for free?
Food, clothing, and shelter
All matter to me.
It might look like fun
But when I am done
I need compensation
Just like anyone
You see, there’s no fairy
Paying my bills
No happy leprechaun
No magic pills
When I work—
Though it may not seem like work to you
I expect compensation
Just like you do
It’s amazing, how what you do is labor
But you want creatives to do you a favor
Let your check be short—
You’d be stomping about!
But my work for you, is “just helping out”
Why are you the only employee here
While everyone else is a mere volunteer?
When I leave my home
To enlist in your task
The fact that you think you don’t have to ask
Whether I need, or ought to be paid for my work
Makes me conclude you’re a bit of a jerk
With a habit of expecting something for free
From everyone you seek to use
As for me,
It’s taken a while to gain strength to say
“My time is worth something.
I DO deserve pay.
I don’t have to grovel, or settle for less.
I don’t have to contend with shady business.
I don’t have to fear consequences of “No”.
No more pay-to-play!
I don’t have to go!
I really don’t care if you don’t think I’m “nice”,
I’m not interested in what you think should suffice.
If what I am asking is more than you’ll pay
Go ask someone else.
It’s really okay.”
I’ve learned that it costs to participate
Never should I have to wonder, or wait
Whether, if, when, or how I’ll be paid
I should know that before a decision is made
Sadly, I now know (by the name on the call)
If there’s an intention to pay me at all
No consideration for how I’ll get there
No thought at all for wear and tear
Or what it will take to prepare for the task
What it will cost me?
They don’t even ask!
Just “Can you, will you, why don’t you come…”
And when all of the work is over and done
Instead of the money you thought they would pay
You’re treated as if you stole something that day
Folk disappear; won’t return your call
And act like you never worked for them at all!
“Know your worth” is the lesson that this message sends
Listen, especially young creative friends
There’s good news! Please, hear me when I say
Handle your business, and do it today!
There are those who will value the work that you do
There are those who won’t cheat, use, or shortchange you
There are those who’ll gladly pay what you ask
They so highly regard you, as well as the task
That they’ll reach out and ask what you’re able to do
And they’ll not think twice whether to compensate you.
They won’t exhaust you down to your last breath
Won’t nickel and dime you ‘til you’ve nothing left
Won’t make you remember the last time you wept
Won't abuse your kindness, or work you to death
One more thing you must learn, and learn it now
Is that people can only do what you allow
Certainly, discern when to share, and to give
But don’t ever forget, you, too, have to live
VRWc2024
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