spec work?!?
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- liquid
ok so I have been in talks with a client that really does have great exposure.This is the type of client that really accelerates your career.
I have assembled a small team to pull this off. The problem is that this team doesn't have much experience together so therefore no portfolio. My portfolio was not strong enough for this type of client.
The marketing lab rats at said company want me to put together a revision of the comp they sent me. Yup, spec work.. unpaid...
I asked them to sign something that said they wouldn't use anything they didnt pay for from me. They said well you are using a comp we sent you and you are just revising. I said that's your deal with your previous designer not me. So I said there is a possibility that you would take what I do and give it to someone else to improve upon it. So then the next person benefits from my free labor.
So he said "but you have a chance of getting it"
And I said....We don't do spec work....This project is probably one of the biggest exposure pieces of my life... along with being one of the biggest single monetary hits I have ever made....in one shot.... and there are about 3-4 projects they approached me with....
To spec work.....or not to spec work.....???
- grunttt0
ahhhhh tough one
- QBN0
Negative.
- ldww0
i would never do free work if they are being that sketchy about not signing something.
i belive in spec work IF it is a large client that you REALLY want to land, but only if you protect yourself.
why do you have to build on their comp? start ffrom scratch and show them what you can really do.
- ldww0
ohhhh snap. QBN said no. better drop it :)
- liquid0
does it matter who the client is? I mean this is a once in a lifetime shot.
- harlequino0
Can you do it in a day?
If so, do it. Roll the dice. It woun't kill you.
- liquid0
yes, I could do the mockup in a day. It's just that I feel I am doing myself a disservice by not going through revisions.
Clients somehow think that some people are only capable of one style instead of working with the designer to get to something that they want to use.
So if they don't like what I do they will just move on instead of giving me feedback and building on that.
- ********0
Its a rock and a hard place situation.
This is one of those times when spec work is worth it and agencies do this all the time to land new clients.
Here is what I would do......
Do a contract that states that you are doing this one project on spec....VERY clearly defining what this project is and what it entails....each and every tiny detail. Also, clearly state that all future work will require a separate contract and will be done at a rate determined for that particular project. AND, VERY IMPORTANT, even though you are just tweaking something that someone else did absolutely get it in writing that you can show this in your portfolio with an explanation of your role. DO NOT SKIP THAT STEP.....it is vital that you get them to sign off on you using this in your portfolio.
Its worth putting yourself out there if the potential reward could redefine your career.
You gotta know too that there is the potential that absolutely nothing comes from this and that they just use you.
Is it worth that? I would say, yes.
Get EVERYTHING in writing ALWAYS!
- harlequino0
It is a pickle. Got to go with your gut.
If it helps, we are on the brink of signing major business with a HUGE communications co., and a major auto company, becasue of spec work.
That work consisted of me shooting, editing, and two days of vfx for a 30 sec. spot.
Good luck!
- gramme0
ask them if they would go to several dentists to see who does the best cleaning job, and then only pay the one they like most.
The AIGA is very firm about this, agencies can afford to do spec work on pitches because of the amount of money that flows through such business; but spec work for studios & freelancers is suicide and doesn't do much for your career besides undermining the ultimate value of the service you can provide.
And the hell with Aquent & their ilk and their 'try the milk before you buy' shtick. It's a mountain of bullshit.
- Cornelius0
Spec work disguised as competitions, with the line... “really good exposure for you”
— Conor’s peeve No. 1A
- ********0
QBN, are you serious? Have you ever heard of an RFP? Agencies have to go through this stuff ALL THE TIME....they invest teams of people on landing a job that they may or may not get....thousands of hours, time, resources and money spent on a chance a shot and thats all they're promised....here is a chance....give us your best (at your own time and expense) and if you do, and we dig it more than everyone elses, your reward is our business....BUT, in the end, there may be nothing there.
Your answer to spec can't be NO all the time. There is some gray area.
- TheBlueOne0
Nope. Walk.
- gabe0
it must be nice not to have to actually "pitch" jobs.
it's not uncommon to waste days brainstorming, writing a proposal, doing comps, making boards, and then not get the job. all the while the only thing you've signed is an NDA saying you won't leak assets or info.
part of the business me thinks. but your situation does sound a little sketchy.
- jevad0
Negative.
QBN
(Aug 4 06, 08:05)Jesus ken - even Big Brother says walk. You know my thoughts on the matter from our talk yesterday. The chanes are that you are going to get dicked over by said company.
It's enticing mate - it's a massive client and if you *were* to land them an important milestone that would likely lead to some more high-profile work.
But think about your recent troubles with Monson.
Silver lining mate - silver lining.
- ********0
Don't be a pussy, this isn't some dude who owns a single bakery in Brooklyn who is asking you to do everything for free, this has the potential to redifine your career. Do you think that people at the top got there by not taking chances and risks? Agree to just the revision on spec, the other 3-4 that they approached you with are pay jobs no matter what. Prove yourself on the first.
BTW, before everyone starts the hating, I completely agree with AIGA (as I was a part for a while) as well as NO SPEC! but there are gray areas and there are times and moments when you have to take a risk and take a chance and if you think that 1 dude doing spec undermines the biz and is going to destroy and hurt what the rest of us have going on then you're retarded and need help. 99% of the time, no spec, I think this may be one of the 1% times.
- ********0
I guess jevad has some inside details. If you know more and it definitely is sketchy and you've been burned by them before then obviously don't do it. I'm trying to give advice based on a couple posts without knowing the backstory.
- jevad0
He's already been fucked over once...I'm just telling him to be careful and if he does take the spec work - not to count on it going any further.
- harlequino0
I agree that it's all about the context and who is asking. If it were another garden variety small business asking for free work thatn no, but if your gut tells you that the effort exerted could be worth the potnetial ongoing revenue, roll the dice.
- ********0
He's already been fucked over once...I'm just telling him to be careful and if he does take the spec work - not to count on it going any further.
jevad
(Aug 4 06, 08:33)Its cool dude, I was agreeing with you.