Don't Believe Everything You Hear

I was thinking about past clients and past jobs the other day, and as I was thinking, I started to think about all the jobs I've shot for free or for a discounted rate, all because of a promise, A "dangling Carrot" that my client had provided. I think I've heard all of the standard lines, "We'll give you credit", "It will be great exposure", "I'm sure you will get a lot of work from this", "If you can do it cheaper this time, the next time we shoot we'll have more money so we can pay your normal rate".
Well guess what happened each time I fell for these lines or ones similar? NOTHING!
Giving me credit in a magazine or on an ad where the client couldn't afford my normal rate never got me one phone call or booking. My clients who promised to pay my full rate on the "next shoot", either went out of business, or, if it was an Ad agency, they weren't able to keep their client, so there never was a "next shoot". So when a client, or potential client, approaches you "dangling a carrot" I have found that most of the time you will never get the "carrot".

I've talked to a lot of other freelancers and they all have the same stories about jobs they've done for free or for a discounted rate, all because of promised future riches. Their stories all end the same. They all wish that they had charged their full rate, because the promise of future work, never came to be.

I'm not saying if you have an established client, you shouldn't help them out every once in a while. You shouldn't make a habit out of it, but cutting your rate once or twice to help out a good client, can be a way of showing your appreciation for their continued business. If it's in your best interest, YOU can even offer a client or potential client, a discounted rate for the work you're willing to do for them. If YOU make the offer, then YOU stay in control of your pricing, not your client. These type of offers can also help you get or keep your foot in the door with a client. Just make sure it's really in your best interest, and not because of some "carrot" that's being dangled in front of you, or the promise of the "next shoot".