Charging real money for my first freelance edit made some people mad

I see all this talk about doing your first job for almost free to build a portfolio. When I got asked to edit a short film, I gave them a price based on the hours it would take. A lot of folks in my circle said I was greedy and should do it for exposure. The director agreed to my rate, and I worked my tail off to make it perfect. That one paid job gave me more confidence than any free work ever could. Now I tell new freelancers to know their worth from the very beginning, even if it feels risky.

4 comments

4 Comments

felix_miller501mo ago

Exactly. Getting paid changes how you see your own work. Free jobs just lead to more people asking for free stuff.

ross.kim25d ago

I get what @maxf85 is saying, but sometimes doing a solid for a friend is just that, lol. It doesn't have to turn into a whole thing.

casey2681mo ago

But is it really that serious? I've done free favors for neighbors without them expecting more. It's about how you handle it. If you're clear from the start, one free job doesn't always lead to a dozen. Money changes things, but context matters too. Not every situation turns into a slippery slope.

maxf851mo ago

Getting that first real check sets a tone for everything after. It tells future clients what your time costs and filters out the people who just want free stuff. You stop being the free option and start being a professional they booked. That shift is everything.