Why Offer Free Work?

[dacalion]

Ok, somebody has got to help me understand this thought process a little better...

I hear a lot of people say..."I give my services away for free as means of promoting myself..." and I understand that to a degree. What I don't understand is why anyone would do that as opposed to offering your services at a ridiculously low price. I just feel like the message should be "I'm in this to get paid"...BUT...realizing the your name isn't Kanye West at the same time.

I was looking this video of Omillio Sparks talking about how Jay Z screwed him. It's a little different scenario but at the same time it's the story of a signed artist getting screwed by giving his services away for free.



So again, I just can't grasp the idea of giving your services away for free. Even $5 would tell the person interested that I'm trying to make some money and I'm looking for some compensation. I kinda see it like this and I don't understand how you wouldn't...but, if you offer your services for free, you're basically asking to be screwed.

So they use your work and make some good money off of it. Then they come to you again...what do you think they will expect? Another free service or do you think they're gonna be like "ok, since you gave us the first one free, this time we're gonna give you 40% of the money generated"? - I can't speak for you all but it's extremely rare that someone you don't truly know, will approach you for your services with your best interest in mind, especially in this game.

Even our basic needs in life costs us. If you don't have perfect credit, you can't even get your lights turned on for free, AND (as if it were some kind of sick ass humor, THEY CHARGE YOU by requiring a high ass deposit!)...but who can live without power? How many times have you gone to pay your water bill and they said..."Nahhh, we're gonna give you this months service free?"

Charge something, even if it's little to nothing or help me understand why you wouldn't...please.

 

[Fade]

I agree, ask for some kind of compensation. I know over the years many people have said they would work with artists for free because it would get them exposure, but today that doesn't cut it. Everything today is money, whether you're making beats or cutting grass. You want my service? Pay me, period. It's time the free loaders wake up and start paying for things they want, nothing's free.

 

[thedreampolice]

I totally disagree, saying pay me $5 totally devalues what you do. But doing it for free for exposure says you have value, but it is more of a barter situation. And honestly even the top producers STILL will do work for free to keep there name out in the wild.

Or maybe you are dealing with a great artist that is new, but has no money. If the project is good you have to do it. The more stuff you have out the more clients and money you can potentially make. Build up your production credits, because EVERYONE claims to be a producer but can you prove it with your body of work?

AND on another note, I would personally rather see my work get used than sit on my hard drive. So as long as I believe in the project I cut a deal. Hell I recently worked with an artist and the deal I made was put the song out, make some money on it then pay me what you think it was worth. And you know what, not only am I doing more work for that artist but they promote me like crazy AND they gave me more money than I would have asked for for the track.

Bottom line is GET YOUR MUSIC OUT TO THE WORLD! I have enough income that to me working for free or working for $5 is basically the same thing.

Also if you make the music, you legally own %50 of the song. So if push comes to shove you can get paid.


EDIT PS that video is a terrible green screen. Meaning he does not really spend time in a studio that nice.

 

[Sucio]

Yep.


Unless you're getting full credit/contract is confirmed.

 

[Fade]

Yes, you need to get your music out, but would you build someone a house and not get paid just because you want to promote your business? Of course not. Same thing goes here, yes, same thing. Services = money. There's too many freebies today, and too many people trying to make a name for themselves so people take advantage of that, thus people are expected to do free work, hell no.

 

[dacalion]

In my world...when someone offers something for free, the first thing that pops in my head is "Ok, whats the catch?"

Nobody, knocks on your door and asks, "Can I rake your leaves for free?" or "Can I wash your car for free?" But let's say someone did...In your mind, you've gotta be thinking 'somethings wrong'...You can't tell me that a total stranger can come to your house, ask to wash your car for free and you not be suspicious or think wtf? You would be peeking out the window every 2 mins...and don't let someone with a car like yours drive by your house...you'd be outside so fast! It just doesn't make sense, it's not logical, it's not even good business practice.

I mean, doing something for your homie or trying to help someone advance is another story but providing your services to Jay Z, or any major artist, or a corporation for free makes no sense to me.

 

[wrightboy]

In my world...when someone offers something for free, the first thing that pops in my head is "Ok, whats the catch?"

You would be peeking out the window every 2 mins...and don't let someone with a car like yours drive by your house...you'd be outside so fast!

hilarious! but i totally agree.

 

[thedreampolice]

Dac, I actually agree with what you said. I don't just email someone out of the blue and say here is a free beat. BUT if they contact me and say, lets work together but I have no money I will cut a deal if I believe in the artist/project. Most of the people I work with are unknowns like myself. HOWEVER when I get placement with bigger names then HELL YA I am getting paid.

 

[slik da relic]

"free" is like the way of showing ur resume these days... nothin wrong with it at all... it all has to be done carefully and strategically... but when ur dealin with superstars, like in Sparks case, thats just the case of bad judgement... these guys have money... and ur paperwork has to be on point.. as SOON as he shook Lyor's hand, its time to definately get a lawyer, if he didnt have one yet.. he kinda threw me off though, not recognizin the fact that, thats a "Rick James" line.

da relic

 

[UNORTHODOX]

Never do work for free. But understand money isnt the only form of payment. I agree with Dreams post. Its better to work out something where your work is getting used, cause honestly, NO ONE is gonna discover your work in your beat folder or even on a few sites. Make your hard work, work hard FOR you.

Beats are less than a service and more of a product. Mixing is a service. Beats get made and can be packaged and shipped out ready to go, all on your own time, as quick or tedious as you please. Do work for recognition if you truly believe the artist has something genuinely special, not just good/great. Also, know your market. If all you do is make beats, your are expendable and only as good as how impressive you are at the time, But if you make beats, mix, edit video, etc etc, your worth will skyrocket. Barter until you have a name to demand pay for your product.

 

[dacalion]

Well said!

 

[Sucio]

I did the music for a small movie out here for free.... I did it for the "resume". In actuality, the director was so pleased with my work and my ambition, he put me on to the next gig that paid very well.... So when dealing with that type of caliber client, a freebie is a lot of times your shoo in to paid gigs afterwards...


Gotta pick and choose, but other than that....you gotta pay me for my services and the investment I put into my equipment and the cost of powering that equipment...and most importantly, my time.

 

[Sucio]

"but when ur dealin with superstars, like in Sparks case, thats just the case of bad judgement... these guys have money... and ur paperwork has to be on point.. as SOON as he shook Lyor's hand, its time to definately get a lawyer, if he didnt have one yet.. da relic

Agreed....


You have to have your shit on point.......OR you're setting yourself up to be fucked.


Poor judgment....Call it what you want on Jay's end....BUT...you didn't look out for yourself.... No one gets fucked over when their shit is on point.....



Green screen, really? Couldn't afford to be IN a studio while doing the interview??

 

[StressWon]

Green screen, really? Couldn't afford to be IN a studio while doing the interview??

thinkin the same. That's how gangstas roll these days,,,green screen. U didn't know that kid? Green screen + Skinny jeans = Future of hip hop

 

[dacalion]

Another thing thats puzzling about this video is that Sparks says that he was an independent artist, then he got signed, then they were in the studio recording, and Jay Z wants his hook (that came from another one of his old songs...). I mean how do you get that far with your ish not in order? Dude is in the studio, recording music planned for the Dynasty Album without a publicist? (something he should have had while he was independent...). Come on.

 

[thedreampolice]

yea if you are at that level and don't at least have a lawyer in your corner you are being a retard.

 

[StressWon]

yea if you are at that level and don't at least have a lawyer in your corner you are being a retard.

absolutely. Back in 94 I was supposed to ghost write for 2 cats I knew from where I grew up. They brought it to me cause one of their moms knew a exec at Epic. Epic was looking for latino rappers at the time especially since Cypress and the Beatnuts were huge then. No one got a lawyer and when it was all said and done, I wouldn't have gotten ish and they would of made $200. LMAO. welcome to the industry young StressWon. (At the time I was going by the name Kamo,,,,cause all I wore was camoflauge)

 

[Ozmosis]

yea if you are at that level and don't at least have a lawyer in your corner you are being a retard.

Yeah, I think the issue when dealing with a big name artist who gave you the opportunity in the first place, you put too much trust into them. "Its jay he put me on, so im sure ill get paid" You still need a third party who has your back.

 

[dacalion]

Yeah, I think the issue when dealing with a big name artist who gave you the opportunity in the first place, you put too much trust into them. "Its jay he put me on, so im sure ill get paid" You still need a third party who has your back.

I was thinking about this as well...when you think about it...it's the owners (the people in charge with the cash that want something for free), they want you to work overtime for free, they want you to have the ability to do 5 other peoples job for free, they want you to bend over backwards for them - free.

Then think of the Peddler that wants you to give them a $1 for nothing. Go figure, people with money want free, people without money want you to give it away. It's a no win!

 

[Ozmosis]

I was thinking about this as well...when you think about it...it's the owners (the people in charge with the cash that want something for free), they want you to work overtime for free, they want you to have the ability to do 5 other peoples job for free, they want you to bend over backwards for them - free.

Then think of the Peddler that wants you to give them a $1 for nothing. Go figure, people with money want free, people without money want you to give it away. It's a no win!

Yep thats how business is done for everything these days "get as much as you can for as less as you can."

It kills me how artist or execs bring people on for a project and dont want to give them any credit or pay them, it makes no sence to me. If you dont want to spread the wealth, then do it yourself. Why is that so hard?