Re: ISP needs Flash site, chance for exposure

[Marc Hoffman]

Okay, my two cents' worth:


I've spent lots of time in my life (several decades, in fact)  doing stuff

for free or cheap, for many reasons: to promote myself, to help a good

cause, to get a foot in the door.   I still do it periodically.  But I want

to say that my experience has been that it almost always leads to more of

the same: working for free or cheap.  I've worked as a musician and as a

social worker, and both can be very discouraging fields unless you enjoy

living in near-poverty.   Being underpaid can easily become a pattern that

undermines your self-esteem and makes life harder than it needs to be for

you and your family.


Clearly it's a personal decision to give your work away, but I'd encourage

people to steer clear of wishful thinking when weighing the pros and cons.

Please be realistic about what you are likely to gain, and don't be afraid

to value yourself and your work.


The other issue, as some of us have pointed out, is that working cheap or

free takes jobs away from others who work hard and need to make a living.

The argument that "someone's gonna do it anyway" doesn't change the ethics

of the situation.  You don't have to do it, too.  The more of us who give

away our work, the tougher it will be for everyone to get paid for an

honest day's work.


I'm glad this topic has been raised.  We're all helping each other on this

list (for free, I would point out).  Let's at least be aware of the effects

of our actions on one another.



At 12:59 PM 6/28/98 -0600, you wrote:

>Frm: David  to  Marjorie:

>>With all due respect,  I would discourage anyone from taking on a project

>>like this for absolutely no compensation

>

>

>Hi David (-DG-),

>good to see you posting again!

>

>You make a valid point, and I hate to be contrary,

>but exposure has always been costly and difficult to get.

>Especially, when the developer market becomes crowded.

>As is happening now.

>

>I have no doubt that a Flash Artist somewhere

>is going to take advantage of this.

>

>The *offer is* that someone can trade a few hours

>of their time & creativity,

>in exchange for publicity.

>

>For some people who are not totally booked,

>as you seem to be,

>this is a workable arrangement.

>

>The practice is actually very common,

>and has led to many artist's personal success,

>in many kinds of media, over the years.

>

>For the Flash Artist considering it, I would ask

>just how much exposure this ISP has,

>and then weigh your time,

>and make your decision based on that.

>

>I can assure you, that

>if Disney called

>and asked you to put something together,

>you wouldn't think twice

>and would comp the time.

>

>So, let's not write-off this method entirely at first glance.

>It has worked before, for both sides.

>

>Thx for listening.

>

>/w

>

>Thread:

>

>>Hiya Marjorie,

>>

>

>>than exposure. This falls in that typical "were having a contest for the

>>best art and whoever wins gets his work on our site"

>>catagory. This practice degrades our standard and hard work. I see it more

>>and more. Companies are seeing an oportunity

>>to get work done for free and this simply hurts all of us trying to make our

>>livelyhood in this profession.

>>

>>Ask that ISP if their service is for free.

>>

>>Its actually a slap in the face to all of us. I dont sacrifice hours, days,

>>months learning "cutting edge" technology

>>to spend my time promoting a company's brand for free. I discourage anyone

>>of us to either.

>>

>>Yeah, ask Gabo if he would do it for you for free. Anyone else that would

>>spend that much time on a site

>>and be that in-tune with Flash3 technology wouldnt either, not unless he was

>>a complete moron.

>>

>>The Artist Guild discourages against these practices in print and

>>publication unless its for a non-profit

>>organizations and so should we as a Flash designer comunity.

>>

>>Is you want free server space goto www.business.com or geocities. Its free

>>all day.

>>

>>If you are innovative, have great design skill and know Flash3 in your

>>sleep. Believe me you will get

>>exposure.

>>

>>Again I would discourage anyone from taking on this type of project or

>>"freebie" work unless

>>its for a charity or non-profit organization.

>>

>>

>>-DG-

>

>Wayne Townsend

>WebStaffing.Net, Dallas, TX. USA

>

waynetTopher [dot] Net (mailto:waynetTopher [dot] Net)

>

wayneWebStaffing [dot] Net (mailto:wayneWebStaffing [dot] Net)

>

>

>

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