Being asked to work for no pay - by my professional body

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I'm a freelancer and am recognised in my professional sphere as being good. Actually, that's not true, I'm at the peak of my career and am recognised as an expert - known in my field for being a great communicator, which is why I am in demand for conferences.

My professional body are having an event for their staff - business and bonding type thing. They want me to come and talk to their staff, kind of showcase what I've been doing...for travel expenses.

There's at least 5 hours travel there, an overnight, then travel home. Plus a bit of prep for what they want, my usual schtick needs tweaking slightly and double checking for my professional peers and betters.

There is no one else who can do what they are asking, I'm pretty unusual in my field. I expect to get paid for what they are asking me to do, it is exactly my job.

I'm REALLY unimpressed, but, finding it hard to resist self talk of "just suck it up, it's your professional body" (to whom I have paid of membership fees for over 25 years).

I need to write an assertive email, what I have drafted so far is just whining and apologetic - so, that's not at ALL the right tone!

Anyone able to remind me why I, and all of us freelancers, should never just suck up working for free? With added "WTF" seeing as how this is my professional body being dickheads?

“Thank you for inviting me to come and speak.
My day rate is £x , and I will submit expenses with my invoice”

Exactly what Norks said

In my field it would be unusual to be paid for this other than expenses. This keeps the costs down for the attendees. What is usual in your industry?

I would keep it short and sweet:

"Hi XX, Thank you for the invite. My fee for the event would be XX. Let me know if that works for you and I will book it in. Looking forward to it!"

Like you, I pay fees each year, and also pay to attend events. I always assumed the speakers got paid!

My husband recently wrote a very polite email explaining how he would feel he was letting himself and others in his field down by accepting jobs with no fee (was also being asked to give a talk in another town) and how he appreciated this was not the organiser’s fault but the lack of budget she’d been given from higher up.
She put it to her boss who managed to find some money to pay him with and now he’s going.
So perhaps highlighting how it helps nobody in your profession is the way to go - they may not find money out of their budget but maybe se it as your moral duty. I agree, we’re always being asked to do something for nothing knowing certain fields that simply couldn’t happen in salaried jobs.
Good luck.

My professional association doesn't pay speakers as far as I know. I certainly didn't get paid when I spoke. We do it for the kudos and the CPD.

They do include a nice meal, drinks and a band in the conference dinner though.

Would there be any benefit to you in doing the event other than if you were paid? If it was great exposure/marketing or fantastic for my reputation I might consider it. I'm a solicitor and speak at things for free all the time but that's usually because it's a good marketing opportunity.

If none of the above applies (or it does but the reality is that they need you more than you need them and you would miss out on other work and therefore be disadvantaged by not being paid) then I'd just respond with your rate and ask them to confirm whilst being really positive!

Sorry, a few typos. Should have previewed!

Yes, I might not get paid for a conference as a speaker - but, you get the CPD and networking in return.

This is a business thing for the team at HQ. They have an annual business meeting, followed by a jolly. They usually pay for entertainment - but, instead of a band or a magician, they want me.

There is no fee for the attendees. They fund it from my membership fees...

I can't decide if I am being unreasonable and should just take the compliment, or, if they are being unreasonable and not taking me seriously.

There are advantages to doing it, yes. That's a good point.

I'd get to spend time with the people who are making decisions about the direction of our profession and who can put me in touch with the people I need to change the things which need changing in our field.

And, it's a free trip and overnight which gives me time to catch up with some other people. So, that's good.

It's just RUDE!

"you're doing exactly what we want our members to do. We want to showcase you. But, your time is not worth our money. Well, your money, actually, seeing as you pay massive fees annually..."

What about asking for expenses paid rather than a fee if you're getting something from it. Meet them half way.

I think it depends on the value to you if the non-monetary benefits. For me it would also depend on whether I planned to attend the event in any case? If so I might be inclined to only charge for the additional prep work/accept the expenses as presumably if you were attending but not speaking you would pay for those things out of your own pocket?

It probably isn't personal or an indication if your value to the organisers. Do the majority of people in your profession do so in salaried roles? If so, they may just not have factored in the self employed element.

It might be worth actually sitting down and doing a pros and cons list. You don't have to say yes but only you will know if it's worth it for you (if that makes sense!)

That's it, Sunshine, I wouldn't be going if I wasn't asked, and yes, most people are salaried. In which case I'd be using 2 days of annual leave to attend...

I'm seeing the president of our body next week at a conference. I could mention it in passing.

Realistically, it's 2 days of work/prep/travel in the run up to Christmas, I am already speaking at a thing for nothing for them next week, I am in the inevitable pre-Christmas cash flow situation and need to earn money!

Mention it to the CEO next week but be cautious. There is usually a great deal of benefit for people like you on the inside track, and you don't want it to stop dead. What would you stand to potentially lose if they stop asking more generally? Also, being in the know at a prof body head office can be used by consultants to win work elsewhere, as you know.

To be honest, I’d probably make up a reason to turn this down.

Could you expense them for travel and loss of earnings, if you work out what you would have earned had you just been able to do your usual work. Appreciate this may be tricky if you are self-employed and your working pattern varies though.

" I am already speaking at a thing for nothing for them next week"

Hmm, sounds like you've been marked somewhere as "has so much income they are available to speak for us for nothing"

I’d email them explaining as a freelance speaker, you need to be paid for your time and that while you appreciate the needs to manage their funds carefully, you can’t commit to doing this for free thereby not being available for paid work at the same time. I do a lot of freelance work - I’m just not prepared to work for free.

I cannot stand organisations that think you’ll just turn up and do it for the love of the job and kudos the speaking event might give you.

Freelance doesn't mean working for free! Super cheeky of them.

It sounds pretty damn cheeky to expect you to do it as a freebie if they'd otherwise be paying entertainment. I'm speaking at an event for my professional organisation next week and I'm getting paid, fwiw.

DH does a fair amount of similar things, he doesn't get paid but gets expenses and a nice gift ( he does work for a company though)

Thanks all.

Am trying to think positively and generously and not feel taken advantage of. It is an opportunity, am just not sure how good an opportunity is is!

The Big Boss is fairly approachable. I expect they haven't even thought about it, actually. Cash flow is a nightmare, I did a corporate thing and they took 5 months to pay. Ouch.