overwatchwlw:

okay y’all let’s get serious for a second: if you’re a young artist/author, it can be really flattering for ppl to send u reqs, and if u have reqs open/reblogged a meme thats fine that they do that, but if anyone asks you for smtg for free unsolicited, dont do it!  even if its something you wouldve done for free if they hadnt asked.  u need to turn them down because

1. they probably do this to other ppl, so u really shouldnt be flattered, unfortunately–if they respected you, theyd pay u
2. you’re undercutting the market for those who do take commissions, which hurts ppl who do this for a living and need money
3. when u open commissions, they have a habit of being demanding ‘oh u used to do it for free’ and giving them free things does not lead to paid gigs in the future.  it doesnt!
4. if they say its ‘for exposure,’ well, u can also get exposure for things u do for money.  u can! and the exposure u get from ppl asking for free stuff… is exposure to other ppl who ask for free stuff, usually, so it wont lead to paid work
5. sometimes they say ‘if u do this for free ill pay u for other things in the future’ and thats a big fat lie.  they wont.  theyll take ur free stuff then move on to someone else

so if someone asks u for free work: decline, and tell ur friends to, too!

and if youre not an artist/author: dont ask ppl to make u things for free.  offer to pay them.  yes, even your friends.  dont take a rejection to work for free then go ask someone else either, bc thats just wildly disrespectful.  offer to pay ppl for their labor!  if u cant afford it, that sucks, but artists cant afford to work for free, either.  and no ‘i comm’d other ppl in the past’ doesnt make ur decision to ask someone else for smtg for free okay.  it actually makes it more egregious

and before anyone says “but my friend offered to make me ____ for free” yes, then u arent asking, ur accepting their offer, and thats fine

thanks for coming to my ted talk