Media Career Development Specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin writes on points to consider on asking for payment for your services and paying others for services.
*Don’t be angry when people insist on being paid for their services. Everyone deserves to be paid for his or her services in kind or cash except if they want to offer it for free.
*If you can’t afford to pay for a service and you want it done for free, say so and leave the option to accept or decline to the person you are requesting to do it.
*There is nothing wrong with offering a free service, but let it be on your own terms and conditions. Sometimes you get paid one way or the other even when the person asking for your service can’t pay you or is not willing to pay.
*Don’t be too shy to ask for payment for your services and skills. It costs you something to learn and master how to do them. It doesn’t mean you are too money conscious as some people wrongly accuse those who ask to be paid.
*Have a price list for your services and skills before being asked to offer them. Even if you provide it for free or at a reduced rate, the beneficiary will know the value of what you give him or her.
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*There are some people or organizations who can take the risk of rendering a service without asking how much you will be paid. They have a reputation for paying well those they have engaged in the past even when they didn’t indicate how much they will pay.
*One way of getting paid for a free service is to own the credit for doing the work and showcase it as one of your accomplishments. You can even ask for a testimonial which you can share when you market your skills to others who can pay you.
READ ALSO: ‘How to get major roles in international media organisations’
