Here are your show notes for this episode of Don’t Do What I Did, titled “Don’t Work for Free”:In this episode, Mas Moriya breaks down one of the hardest lessons creatives have to learn—valuing your time and saying no to unpaid work. From 15 years as a filmmaker and photographer to countless emails asking for “just a few shots for exposure,” Mas shares why working for free often does more harm than good—not just for you, but for the whole industry.He explains when volunteering your skills makes sense, how to negotiate value even when money isn’t on the table, and why putting your true rates (and discounts) on invoices matters. Along the way, he shares stories from protests, nonprofit gigs, comedy shows, and musician shoots, illustrating how offering the right kind of free work can lead to real opportunities—while saying “yes” to the wrong gigs can keep you stuck.Why “exposure” doesn’t pay your rentWhen free work can be strategic vs. exploitativeHow doing unpaid jobs lowers rates for everyone in your fieldThe power of showing your true rates alongside discountsUsing volunteer work as intentional networkingHow to structure unpaid work so it leads to paid gigsSetting boundaries with nonprofits and “we have no budget” clientsThe difference between NY and LA culture around free workWhy your personal brand matters when choosing gigsKnow your rates—and show them, even when discounting.Free work is only worth it when it’s your choice and it brings immediate, tangible value.Avoid the “forever volunteer” trap—don’t train people to expect free labor.Exposure is overrated—build connections with the right people instead.Say no with options—refer someone else or offer a reduced scope instead of just declining.Filmclusive – Entertainment’s first cross-industry marketplace. Free to apply, free to post, and built to break the industry’s pay-to-play model.

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