Is Offering Your Services Or Business Expertise For FREE, Ever Actually Worth It?

Life Virtually

Apr 10 2024 • 42 mins

It’s the season finale of Life Virtually and in this episode, we’re getting into it all!


It’s a hotly debated topic in business that many have different opinions on. Some will recommend working for free in exchange of things like a testimonial or help with market research. Then others are utterly against that notion!!


The thing is though, as an Online Service Provider, there are ways you could find yourself working for FREE without even realising it.


As we kick off the episode, Ellie shares a couple of useful reminders now that we’ve started a fresh new quarter, before diving into the recent “Social Media is FAKE Trend”.


  • The varying takes people have on this trend.
  • Why some business owners may decide not partake in this social media trend.
  • The real lesson we’re learning from it when it comes to having REAL conversations.
  • And Ellie’s own version, sharing what’s been happening here behind the scenes and discussing your mental health as a business owner.


We then ask the big question - Is offering your services or expertise for free, ever actually worth it?

Tune in as we discuss:


  • Working for free intentionally vs. unintentionally.
  • Ensuring that the exchange is fair.
  • Ways an Online Service Provider can find themselves working for free without realising it!
  • Looking out for scope creep.
  • How people can feel entitled to your time and expertise.
  • And when you might need to put a boundary down, even if you feel guilty about it!


*Useful Links*

Connect with Ellie on Instagram here.

Check out Ellie’s Coaching Services for Online Service Providers here.

Learn more about the Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland here.