We all know it.

But wait. There’s one reason to throw this rule in the proverbial bin.

When a friend announces their engagement, we sometimes offer to design their wedding invites for free.

Over time, we’ve developed a set of guidelines:

  There’s no concept work – the friend needs to have an idea of what they’re looking for. If they haven’t a clue, we send them websites/pinterest boards to trawl through. They figure it out and come back with rough concept.

We need plenty of time. Their project will be fitted in around our business schedule. If there’s a tight turnaround, we’ll pass.

  It may sound obvious, but they need to be a good friend. This is not a friend-of-a-friend offer.

  We will ONLY do this for free. Nada. Zero dollars (they pay for the printing, of course).

The reason for the $0 payment has come about through experience – accept payment of any kind, and there’s an expected level of service. If we charge ‘mate’s rates’ or a token amount, people can still act as if they were paying full price.

Do the work for free, and no-one’s a diva. They know we’re fitting this in between real, client-paying work, and they’re respectful of my time.

It’s a truly lovely thing to offer a good friend.