In the next few minutes I’m going to explain why you should be working for free.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Kyle, the whole reason I’m here is to figure out how to work less, earn more, and have the lifestyle I want.

That’s what I want for you too...

But it starts with the basics:

• clients

• credibility

• results

So here are 3 good reasons to work for free to help you achieve this:

#1: To Build Your Portfolio

Doing work for free might be your only option for building your freelance portfolio in the beginning.

You need a portfolio to convince clients.

But you need clients to create a portfolio.

Catch-22.

So you create some portfolio work for a couple companies for free, in exchange for a testimonial.

This is by far one of the quickest and easiest ways to build your portfolio fast.

I did this myself in the beginning.

Just make sure you have a system (or use a template) to get the work done quickly and still look good.

#2: To Get Exposure

Let’s say you get an opportunity to do work for a high-profile client you’d love to work with, but it means doing the work for free.

There’s a good chance it’s worth it for the exposure and networking opportunities.

Think of it this way: if you got the chance to design a website for Apple, getting your name associated with the brand would be payment enough, right? 

#3: To Gain Experience

If you’re trying to break in a new skill, or break into a new niche, doing free work might just be the smartest move.

Instead of paying money for another online course, you pay your time in exchange for on-the-job learning (which actually sticks, and maybe even lands you a long-term client).

Any of these reasons for doing free work could make a lot of sense for you.

It all depends on where you are in your journey and what your priorities and goals are.

But none of these are the real reason I think you should work for free.

In fact, if you think about it, none of these examples mean you are actually doing the work for free.

You’re doing it to get something in return.

Whether it’s an immediate payoff, or something down the road.

And that’s not a bad thing.

It’s good business. Good economics. Sow--Reap.

But you know what’s even better business?

Genuinely giving away something for free.

I’m talking about over-delivering value.

Not because you expect to get paid more for it. Not because you’re doing calculations in your head of how much goodwill you’re stacking up.

But because it matters to you that you do awesome work.

Because somewhere along the way, someone gave you more than you asked or paid for.

And you want to pay it forward.

Working for free by over-delivering value is the single best business practice I can recommend for growing your freelance business.

Why?

Because when you’re genuinely generous - with every project, with every client - you’ll start to see a strange thing happening.

Clients will start knocking on your door without an invitation.

The bottom line:

You need work to SHOW.

You're not going to close $5,000+ websites or $2,000+ monthly retainers WITHOUT results to back it up.

Do some work for free, get results, increase your rates, and enjoy the fruit of your labor.