FRIDAY THOUGHTS: ON THE JOB

I listened intently as the parameters of the "job" were explained. It was all too familiar.

"Do you think I should do it?" they asked.

"I don't recall hearing how much you're being paid for all of this? Is travel, transportation, and lodging covered?", I asked. "Your time is worth something." ("Good, Lord!", I thought. "You sound just like Dad!")

"There's no budget", they replied. "They never have a budget".

"Oh. So... you've done this before?" I asked.

"Yeah. Mostly for the exposure, and they comp our food."

"So, is this for fun? Is it a hobby? A mini vacation? Is everyone volunteering, or just you?"

I shook my head, thinking about how many times, in one creative venture or another, I mistakenly assumed I would be an employee. I pondered how many times I spent more money to prepare for, get to, and participate in a thing, than I should have earned to work. I lamented how many times I agreed to work, was promised compensation, but when the job was done, I was met with indifference, an attitude, or a sob story, and went home empty-handed. 

I asked, "How much is this costing you? How much has it cost you, already? Is it worth it? You have to be okay with it, but don’t subject yourself to being taken advantage of for too long. It’ll become a habit. Poor business practices can suck the joy out of what you love to do.”

I do believe there are times to sow, share, barter, and volunteer, but I hate seeing young creatives get caught up in a manipulative cycle that disregards them, their livelihoods, or makes them think creative professions aren't profitable. Setting boundaries, stating requirements, and handling business, is something young creatives need to do before they commit to any part of the job. Before they leave home, they should have a guarantee of what they'll be depositing on the way back home.

The rather bold, presumptuous, and selfish expectation that anyone can, will, should, or MUST always be on call, show up, and cheerfully work without compensation, is an insulting, exhausting, and disheartening one. It’s worse when the entitled seekers of a person's particular skill, are those who are in the same line of work. It sends the message that obligations and needs don’t matter, and neither time, expertise, resources, responsibilities, knowledge, talent, nor well being, are valued or considered. 

We teach people how to treat us. A lax attitude, perceived humility, eagerness to participate, or past willingness to help out, may be the reason why YOUR name is THE first to come to mind, when planners ask, “Who can we call? We need someone GOOD, but who can we get to do it for FREE?”

Ugh......

"So-and-so charges too much. That's why we called you."

“Oh. I didn’t know I had to PAY you.”

“I mean. You ain’t all THAT!”

“We’re friends! I figured you’d just do it for me!”

"I can get so-and-so to do it for much less!"

"We don't have any money, but you can eat."

“I didn’t know you needed your check right NOW?”

“Oh. I thought you just did this for fun.”

“Is this ALL you do? I didn’t know this was your REAL job.”

These are some of THE most mind-blowing, disappointing, flippant, entitled, bizarre statements that anyone can fix their lips to make.

Here we are, nearing the end of 2025, and there are still descendants of the greatest atrocity in American history, who think that other people, who share the same history, should happily labor for free. 

Why do people find it so easy to call upon others— creatives in particular—and compensation is not even a thought? How can they make demands, bark orders, give logistics, directions, details, but when the work is DONE, they get amnesia? 

HOW can people consume, benefit, or profit from the energy and effort of others, but be so averse to paying them?

“Can you fix, 

can you speak,

can you help, 

can you make, 

can you participate, 

can you style, 

can you tutor, 

can you paint?

Can you clean, 

can you facilitate,

can you play, 

can you organize, 

can you design, 

can you repair, 

can you write,

can you visualize?

Can you bake, 

can you sing, 

can you sew, 

can you explain, 

can you build, 

can you decorate, 

can you assemble

can you entertain …?”

Why is it, that people who have certain skills, are always, ALWAYS expected to volunteer, sacrifice, help out, discount, and give back—and even pay to play— while everyone else on the same job, with, apparently, more important skills, is compensated? 

How can a person ever give, or “give back” if they’ve never received, or their pay is always short, late, or nonexistent? 

Do people think that creatives are swimming in free time, independently wealthy, don’t need money, debt free, can afford to work for nothing, or exist on handshakes, thank yous, compliments, and air? 

At some point (usually after being cheated or ghosted), creatives realize they must protect themselves, and their livelihoods. They must be okay with “never mind”.  That may mean not hearing from some people anymore. Frankly, that may be a good thing. How great was an opportunity, if you have nothing to show for it, except debt? 

Creatives need to encounter patrons and consumers who have integrity, and actually value what they do. It only takes one instance to be treated right, to know that people do exist, who don't only see you, or your work as a means to line their own pockets.

Participation COSTS. (By the way, there is a huge difference between “inviting” and “booking”. Invitees don’t WORK. They chill, and enjoy the festivities like everyone else.)

When it becomes clear that some people are hustlers, who are always trying to get over, and think you’re gullible, those supposed good faith, handshake, friend deals get old and tired, very quickly.

Serious people—even friends—who truly respect you and what you do, LEAD with business when they call, not just a laundry list of what they want you to do, when and where. They know your capabilities and worth, offer before you ask, insist on paying you (even if you decline), and wouldn’t think of using you, nor farming out your services to others, as if your livelihood is theirs to play with.

Stop the cycle, now, Young Creatives. 

Know your worth. 

Study your craft. 

Aim for excellence, and professionalism.

Be discerning.

Handle your business. Only a top tier earner can afford to work for free.